Springs Studio is pleased to announce their Yeti, Anicah Brooks! Anicah is a peer tutor and helps other students reach their full potential. She helps others feel better when they are down, and she is a hard-working student. We interviewed Anicah, and this is what she had to say about being an SSAE student and receiving Yeti of the Month. Anicah likes being an SSAE student because she enjoys the flexibility of this model. She gets stressed out when there are too many rules and learns better when determining her own schedule. Anicah was very surprised that she received the Yeti of the Month recognition. She aspires to become a writer and to be published one day. She enjoys writing fictional short stories and poetry. One day, she would like to write a novel! The Yeti trait she feels is her strengths are "Forge ahead on pathways others fear." She doesn't feel she has mastered this trait, but she is good at it. Anicah is glad to be SSAE's December Yeti and has named her Yeti Elliot! Congratulations, Anicah! We are so proud of you and all of your accomplishments!

The Campus is pleased to announce that we have not one but TWO Yetis for the Month of November! Congratulations to Syndi Ellis from Pikes Peak Early College and Anicah Brooks from Springs Studio!

Pikes Peak Early College is pleased to announce their Yeti, Syndi Ellis! Syndi serves on STUCO, has a great sense of humor, and is a good friend. She was instrumental in planning last semester's Amnesty Day! We interviewed Syndi, and this is what she had to say about being a PPEC student and about receiving Yeti of the Month. Syndi likes being a student PPEC because she feels it is a more mature environment where students can be accepted for who they are. Students can be comfortable at PPEC because there is also less drama. Syndi is interested in studying psychology and plans to become a behavioral therapist! The Yeti traits she feels are her strengths: "Forge ahead on pathways that others fear" She says she is not afraid to speak out in her college classes, even if others might be. "Leads with confidence, humility, and joy," Syndi says it is essential to do that right thing. The right thing might not always be the easiest, but she does it to not only model this for others but because sometimes things are just hard, and you have to work through them. If she's done the right thing, even if it was the more challenging thing, then she feels like she has won. "Protects their own" Syndi wants to be a good friend to others. She understands what it is like to be picked on. She's happy to help stand up for others and show them a better way. She has not named her Yeti yet but is thinking of a name that will be dignified. She is glad to be PPEC's December Yeti! Congratulations, Syndi! We are so proud of you and all of your accomplishments!

Mrs. Wilkins is back from maternity leave and is excited to work with students again! Algebra 2 and Pre Algebra students are working hard to start the semester off well! In Aleks, Initial Knowledge Checks should be completed, and progress should be improving by 5% each week. In Edgenuity, students should be working towards the prescribed progress each day. Should a student need math support, Mrs. Wilkins is available 4th and 6th hours on Mondays and Wednesdays, Fridays by appointment, and through Zoom meetings on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Reach out for support as often as you need to!

Algebra and Geometry are starting off strong with a solid effort from students in the first semester. This semester, students will be earning cash (almost real cash) daily in class for participating, taking notes, and completing projects. They will need to save their money to purchase their classwork points back at the end of the semester. They can earn more than the daily amount budgeted for them to spend on items in class as well. In Algebra, students are doing an Individual project on tracking (quantitatively) something of their choice. They will be graphing what they track in Desmos. In Geometry, students will be creating the plans and a cardboard construction of their 'dream' house. All students are having fun with making card games as well, in order to sharpen their math facts skills.

Pre-Calculus and Algebra 2 students finished the fall semester strong, and we have momentum going into spring. Students have the same requirements of 5% each week of progress growth if they are in Aleks. PreCalculus is focusing on Trigonometry this semester, so we might see a few strange activities happening around campus, like learning what a radian is or the height of the Care - in - Share building. A reminder that students can work ahead so they can finish up courses before the end of the semester.

Students in Freshman English are beginning an exciting quarter-long project called "The Generations Project." Over the course of the project, students will be exploring the question, why is important to tell your story? Students will also be interviewing family members, exploring generational differences, and completing a personal narrative. The unit will culminate in a family potluck on March 16 to celebrate the students' hard work! This semester, I am available to work with and support students during second and fifth period on Mondays and Wednesdays, as well as through virtual office hours at 9 am on Thursdays and in-building on Friday mornings.

English 2 is starting the semester by reviewing key literary devices and using them to analyze Science Fiction texts. Students will examine how science fiction brings attention to social problems and the influence of science and technology on our daily lives. For their final project for this unit, students will create infographics to visually communicate their analysis of a science fiction text. English 2 Honors students will be conducting book club discussions on the novels they chose to read at the end of the fall semester. Their groups will analyze their novels in-depth with the same focus on literary devices and science fiction elements. Students will complete individual presentations on their books as their final project for this unit.

Mythology- Students will start this course with an introduction to various types of myths and folklore. After learning about the characteristics and history of myths, students will complete this unit by writing their own version.

Yearbook Staff is jumping back into creating an amazing yearbook for the school. Students will receive progress checks biweekly to ensure they are completing their assigned pages by the final deadline. Be on the lookout for emails with important updates about opportunities for students to get their pictures in the yearbook and information on how to get your yearbook.

Civics students will work on the Declaration of Independence and political cartoons as they move into making a deeper dive into the Constitution. US History students are beginning work on a World War II project. World History class is reviewing World War I before delving deeper into World War II from the world perspective.

All FULL VIRTUAL history classes will have ThinkCercas that will be assigned by the end of January and are due mid-March. Please watch for an email from me with more details coming soon.

College Adobe Illustrator- what is Adobe Illustrator, getting started, Adobe tools panel, vector vs. raster

Drawing I- introduction to different graphite pencil types and other supplies, contour, value scale, line variations

In Spanish, we are learning about hobbies (Spanish 1), professions (Spanish 2), and the Future Tense (Spanish 3) with speaking and video recording integrations.

ESports will continue on Wednesdays this semester, beginning 1/31/22. Click here to sign up if interested. Contact Ms. Cummings for any questions. ncummings@d49.org

Join the Engineering and Design Club (formerly known as ACE Maker's Club) on Mondays from 3:15 to 4:15 in Rom 157 to enjoy design challenges, competitions, and tons of other organized makers activities. The next few meetings are on January 24, February 7, and February 28. Contact Mr. Wixom at jwixom@d49.org for more info.

• EVERY OTHER WEDNESDAY

• We will be reading books that celebrate diversity!

• One book per month

• See Ms. Leider or Megan O’Neal for more information

Anime Club meets every Wednesday at lunch in room 164. Come discuss, review and critique anime in a fun and friendly environment. All students are welcome! Contact Mrs. Wilkins for more information.

Have an idea for a club you and your friends would like to create? Share that idea with a teacher.

This club meets on Mondays from 3:10-4:10 PM in room 156. Reach out to Mrs. Rotunno for more information.

• Please send your cutest pet pictures to yearbook staff member Camden at 1004862@d49.org by December 17.

• If you are an athlete and want your picture in the yearbook, please submit photos to 1015860@d49.org.

Buy your yearbook for the early bird price of $40 at this link: https://link.entourageyearbooks.com/my/campus

If you would like to purchase and create a page in the yearbook dedicated to your senior, please use the same link for yearbook purchases and click on "Buy Ads." This will lead you through the process of creating an account and selecting the size of the dedication you want. When you have the page set up the way you want, you will submit it to the Yearbook Staff for approval. The deadline for all dedications is March 1, 2022.