COUGAR COURIER
November 30th, 2018
From the desk of Principal Ruiz
This week our STCO members represented CIA for a great cause. As a united community, South Bend and Mishawaka helped to raise $3225.19 for St. Joseph County. Mishawaka brought in $1,726.43, while South Bend collected $1,498.76. For the families and friends that contributed to the Bell Ringing event, we thank you for giving!
Progress Reports for all scholars will be available in PowerSchool on Monday. If any parent/guardian needs assistance with PowerSchool access, please email Mrs. Pol for assistance.
Cognitive Abilities (CogAT) testing will begin this Tuesday in Kindergarten, 2nd, 4th, and 8th grades.
CogAT is an assessment that is used to identify our intellectually gifted students.For more information, additional details are available in the CogAT advertisement included in the newsletter.
Be sure to mark your calendar for the PTSO meeting that will be held this week on Thursday, December 6th at 5:30 P.M. in the Cougar Cafe. Your support is needed to help our scholars have the greatest experience possible.
Be sure to check out the Great Day at CIA video performed by our very own Cougar Cast! You will not want to this way to "view" CIA. Click the link below...
Have a wonderful weekend!
Serving with scholars in mind,
Ms. Angela Ruiz, Ph.D. Candidate, Ed.S.
NWEA Testing
CIA scholars will be taking the second NWEA assessment during the week of December 10th - 14th. We encourage all scholars to get adequate rest during the assessment window. Parents, look for the NWEA data results for your scholar(s) to come home on December 19th. Below you will find information about the NWEA MAP Growth assessment:
Learning Made Visible:
MAP® Growth™ measures what scholars know and informs what they are ready to learn next. By dynamically adjusting to each scholar’s responses, MAP Growth creates a personalized assessment experience that accurately measures performance. Timely, easy-to-use reports help teachers teach, students learn, and administrators lead.Help your students soar:
Putting assessment into action means using MAP Growth data to pinpoint the instructional areas your scholars are ready to tackle—whether they are on, above, or below grade level.
Growth over time:
MAP Growth reveals how much growth has occurred between testing events and, when combined with NWEA norms, shows projected proficiency. Educators can track growth through the school year and over multiple years.
MAP Growth reports transform data into actionable insights:
Teachers use the data to differentiate instruction and pinpoint individual needs of each scholar. Higher-level reports give administrators the context to drive improvement for all scholars at CIA.
Meet our newest CIA staff member, Mr. Rory Killelea
As many of you may know, Mr. Tom Maiiloux, the 7th and 8th grade Science teacher at CIA is currently recovering from open heart surgery. In his absence, we have added a new Science teacher. We are pleased to present to you, Mr. Rory Killelea.
A lifelong resident of South Bend, IN, Mr. Killelea is no stranger to SBCSC. Before beginning his own educational tenure, Mr. Killelea spent time in classrooms at Darden where his siblings went to school and his mother was president of the PTO. After beginning school, Mr. Killelea jumped around a little bit, spending time at Darden and Madison before a short stint in Catholic school. Mr. Killelea returned to South Bend schools for high school and is a proud Clay Colonial alumnus.
During his time at Clay, Mr. Killelea was a four-sport athlete, achieving varsity letters in Football, Swimming/Diving, and playing both lacrosse and rugby. Furthermore, Mr. Killelea earned an Academic Honors degree, graduating with distinction. After high school Mr. Killelea continued his education at Ball State University, earning his degree in Telecommunications with a focus on Television and Film Studies, along with a minor in Gender Studies. With help from an extensive alumni network, Mr. Killelea moved back to the South Bend area to work in local news as a photojournalist. During this time, Mr. Killelea also served the SBCSC as an advisory board member to Clay High School’s Business Technology Lab. However, after nearly five years working in news, and freelancing with local production companies, Mr. Killelea decided to return to Ball State to earn a master’s degree in a cross-disciplinary program called Digital Storytelling. This program allowed Mr. Killelea to continue his pursuit of media criticism, writing a thesis on the effect of television narratives on identity politics, and to work as a producer and director of several documentary films. After completing this degree, Mr. Killelea spent time traveling and starting his very own digital marketing company. In hopes of supplementing the small income his young company is making, Mr. Killelea decided to return once more to South Bend and the SBCSC. He is very excited to join the CIA family, and to call himself a Cougar for the very first time!
Red Kettle Kick-Off
Wow! We are so proud of our STCO scholars. This week they were part of the Salvation Army’s “Red Kettle Kick Off - Day of Giving” event at the Walmart on Ireland Road. The scholars had a wonderful time, rang the bells, and even sang some carols. Yes, it was cold, but they successfully managed to both spread holiday cheer and convince many to add to the kettle. It was a wonderful experience for them to be a meaningful part of our community by demonstrating the IB learner trait of being caring and principled. They not only really loved the fact that they were out there with local celebrities (Irish Dave from U93), and some local heroes (firefighters), but they were proud to feel like they were important and contributing to a cause that helps those in need during this holiday season. Way to go STCO Cougars!!
Fall Food Drive
Well, the barrels have been weighed…and... CIA donated 736 lbs. of food to the Food Bank of Northern Indiana, which is impressive but was quite a bit below our original goal. However, because we really want our students to earn their activity day, the barrels are coming back for 2 more weeks: Tuesday, Nov. 27th through Tuesday, Dec. 11th. We have set the new goal as 1,000 lbs of food, which means that CIA only needs to donate 264 lbs of food to win their activity day on Dec. 20th, which may sound like a lot, but in reality a can of vegetables weighs just over a pound (volume weight on a digital scale… yes, we checked this), SO if each student and staff member just brought in 1 more can, then we will actually surpass this new goal. If you think of it in those terms, and that you are helping those in need (demonstrating that IB trait of caring) you will be able to help us meet this goal. Come on Cougars, YOU CAN DO THIS!!
Dress Code at CIA!
STCO Candy Grams
Do you want to spread some holiday cheer to those around you without the hassle of delivery? Well, then the Student Council Candy Grams are your answer! During the month of December, STCO will be selling candy grams for .25¢. Each piece of candy will be attached to a slip of paper containing a preprinted, uplifting and friendly message, which will be delivered throughout the building every morning. So, gather up all of your quarters and turn them into a way to show others that you care!
Want to be a STCO Member?
It is not too late! If you are interested in becoming a member of CIA’s Student Council, please see your teacher for a sign-up sheet. If both your Homebase teacher and parent/guardian approve it, you still have the chance to represent your class and CIA to ASPIRE TO INSPIRE!
Barnes & Noble Event, Sunday, December 16
Do not forget to sign up for a time to help team CIA wrap gifts for donations! Contact Ms. Simpson to schedule a time, if the link to sign up does not work for you. The library phone number is 574-393-4312, if you prefer to call. We encourage all families to come on out and support those who are there, even if you can not actually stay and wrap gifts!
In addition to wrapping packages for donations all day, we are planning to showcase our wonderful scholars between the hours of 2:00 and 4:00! The orchestra will be playing at 2:00. CIA scholars will have artwork on display; you will not want to miss seeing the artistic beauty created by our scholars. Battle of the Book Club scholars will be reading picture books in the children's area.
Any purchases made in the store or online during the week around the 16th will also earn money for the CIA library to purchase new books. There will be a code to present at checkout in the store or online in order for us to receive credit from your purchase. More details concerning the specific dates that we can use the code for shopping will be announced soon. Stay tuned for further details...
Making Good Choices:
Here is another way to help your children grow up to be respectful and kind, and to have the self-respect they need to make the right choices, both now and in the future.
Truth or consequences:
Every child, at one point or another, will try to lie. Discuss with your children that trust is one of the most important characteristics a person can ever have, and that it is very hard to re-earn that trust if people think of them as a liar. Ask them how they would feel if they found out someone had lied to them. As a parent, show in your words and deeds that you are a trustworthy and honest person as well.
Look for more ways to help your children grow up to make the right choices in past and upcoming issues of the Cougar Courier.
Trio Talent Search with Notre Dame
What is TRiO Talent Search?
The University of Notre Dame’s Talent Search is a college access program that provides academic, career, and financial counseling to youth in grades seven through twelve – encouraging them to graduate from high school and continue on to and complete their postsecondary education.
What Activities does TRiO Talent Search Offer to Help Students Succeed?
Throughout the school year, Notre Dame’s cadre of Talent Search advisors offer in-school, academic counseling to students, as well as workshops designed to equip students with the skills and information needed to prepare for, apply to, and succeed in college. Workshops focus on topics such as: study skills and test-taking strategies, goal setting and achievement, the college admissions process, as well as financial literacy, student financial aid and scholarship assistance.
Improving study and test-taking skills
College and financial aid information
Career exploration
Coursework advising
College and cultural visits
Goal-setting
Talent Search students also receive individual tutoring assistance and SAT/ACT test preparation program staff and volunteers on the Notre Dame campus. Additionally, college tours and a variety of other activities are offered to expose students to valuable cultural, educational and career-focused information. Talent Search is an investment in our local community that boosts every student’s chance to succeed in school, work and life.
TRiO Talent Search is recruiting students who fit one or more of the following criteria:
Is low income
Is first generation college-bound
Receives free or reduced lunch
Is average or above-average academically (at least a 2.5 GPA is required)
Does not have behavioral problems
Can benefit from the services TRiO Talent Search offers
If you know any students who meet one or more of these requirements, please refer them by sending their names to Mrs. Callahan, Guidance Counselor. Thank you in advance.
Students not meeting the above requirement may be considered, and will be selected on an individual basis.
Gather your Box Tops to raise money for CIA
Yes, it is true...if our CIA families collect box tops, we earn money.
Here is how this works: CIA families, every time you use a General Mills product, cut off the BoxTop label and send it to school with your scholar. 400 scholars X 10 BoxTops per scholar = $400 for CIA! This is a fantastic opportunity because there is no need to purchase anything special. Many families end up with General Mills products in their homes after a trip to the store. We encourage each family to ask your friends, relatives and neighbors to do the same. Begin your search for the Box Top label! A collection box will be placed in the main office; please send all labels to school with your scholar.
Principal Ruiz
Email: aruiz@sbcsc.k12.in.us
Website: http://clayintermediate.sb.school/home
Location: 52900 Lily Road, South Bend, IN, USA
Phone: 574-393-4300
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ClayInternationalAcademy/?hc_ref=ARSPi9IBwtzl5EJdceUcqxSSyItIHbU4cIAKX3ZtMeCZAoKpGJMFSGRmc0FRNLyfIJ0&fref=tag
Twitter: @cia_cougars