The What's UPdate!
Welcome to the new school year!
HELLO SSAE FAMILIES! We're so excited to bring you the What's UPdate for our first week back to school.
Mrs. Jackson
Hello scholars & families! I'm so excited to join SSAE as the middle school English teacher. I'm looking forward to getting to know my amazing students! We're going on a journey this year through the exploration of books. I can't wait to see your scholar's thoughts and ideas as we write and present. It's going to be a fantastic year!
Mrs. Janine Sangiorgi
Welcome to middle school science! This is my 7th year in District 49, and my first year at Springs Studio. I have been in education since 1997 (got my start in a NYC high school) and absolutely love working with students to help them become life long learners. This is my 12th year working with middle schoolers. When I am not immersed in educating students, I like to spend time in the outdoors (camping, hiking, etc.), playing games (board and video) with good friends, and sewing (with an emphasis on medieval clothing). I have been a teacher liaison with the Space Foundation since 2011 and look forward to bringing many space-themed activities into the classroom. I look forward to working with you all this year!!
Mrs. De La Garza
Moving on up!!! As a former 5th grade and Science teacher here at SSAE, I am excited to be a part of the Middle School as the new Electives Teacher. It’s wonderful to see so many familiar faces and get to know some new ones.
I am looking forward to an amazing year! Please contact me at ldelagarza@d49.org. Follow me on Twitter at @TheRealLauraDLG.
Mrs. Wichman
Welcome! I have been teaching ART at Springs Studio for Academic Excellence for the past 9 years. I have watched many of these fabulous kids grow up. I am excited for another of fun messy projects and digital art.
Mrs. Danford
Welcome back, everyone! I am Mrs. Danford, your math teacher this year. This is my 8th year at Spring Studio. I have been a parent, volunteer tutor, student success coach, high school teacher, and I'm in my second year as a middle school teacher. I am super excited to work with 5th-8th this year. We are going to have so much fun in math (don't all groan at once)! Please reach out if you have any questions. I love to text and my Remind classes will be up and running soon, but until then don't hesitate to send a message - sdanford@d49.org.
Mrs. Schinck and Miss Pukansky
Our amazing Student Success Coaches are here to assist you! Please contact them at kpukansky@d49.org and lschink@d49.org.
Ms. Martin
Hello! I am Chelsea Martin, the school counselor for grades 5-9. I recently moved back to Colorado Springs from New York and am so excited to work with the amazing students at Springs Studio! Beginning in September, I will be pushing into the classroom to teach students various skills to be a successful student and adolescent. Please feel free to contact me at any time at cmmartin@d49.org or 719-432-8179.
CLASS BREAKDOWN
ELA
During our first week back, scholars finished their first STAR360! Students also caught up with old friends and enjoyed meeting their new classmates. Moving into next week, students will show off their writing skills with ThinkCERCA. We're starting strong on creating a community of thinkers and writers! Here's to the year ahead!
Science
Students learned how to access several tools in Google, including Google Docs, Sheets, Classroom, and Slides. All students should have created five folders (one for each of their core classes and an electives folder). They were also shown how to save a Google doc into a PDF (one of the forms that Edgenuity accepts for submission). The All Things Google presentation can be accessed via the following link: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1SzZ04J0IiEOvKC9ZlbveRigDVyY6abDqyxs0KhpbtnU/edit?usp=sharing. In the upcoming weeks, we will be going over Lab Safety and learn the routines that will enable all learners to be successful in science.
Electives
It was very exciting to get our new Macbooks! Our Student Success Coaches, Mrs. Schink, and Miss Pukansky did an amazing job managing the computer handouts. We are the first school in District 49 to have one to one Macbooks. In Electives class, we have been getting everyone up to speed with all the new technology here.
I am looking forward to starting STEM-based activities!
Social Studies
Hey Hey, Hey!! My name is Mr. Lohmann (Mr. L), and this is my second year at SSAE. I enjoy playing frisbee golf, billiards, and sewing in a hail storm. Additionally, I have two labradors, and they love walking me. I am super excited to have new and returning students in Social Studies, and I am looking forward to a phenomenal 2019-2020 school year. If you have any questions, concerns, or comments, please feel free to reach me at jlohmann@D49.org. Science be with you.
Art
Our first week was spent getting student laptops set up. Next week we will start art projects. You may reach me, Kara Wichman, at kwichman@d49.org or (719) 499-0387.
Math
Math is slowly getting up and running. Students are into ALEKS and are getting familiar with how it works. Our first official in-building knowledge check is Monday, August 12th, at 8:15 AM. Students will not need to bring anything special for the knowledge check but should have their computers charged and ready to go for the day.