COUGAR COURIER
September 21, 2018
From the desk of Principal Ruiz
This week our CIA Cougars will celebrate College Go! Week. We encourage each scholar to participate in the activities for this week:
Monday, September 24th - school spirit day (show your Cougar pride)
Tuesday, September 25th - crazy hat day (wear your favorite hat)
Wednesday, September 26th - jean day (wear jeans with your school approved polo)
Thursday, September 27th - crazy sock day (wear your craziest socks)
Friday, September 28-A dress down day where students are allowed to wear college t-shirts, or sweatshirts with uniform pants/shorts/skirts.
In order to help our team record absences correctly, please contact the main office prior to a scheduled absence. While we encourage perfect attendance, we do understand that a visit to the doctor/dentist, etc. may need to be scheduled during the school week; if an appointment interferes with the school day, be sure to bring a doctor's note when your scholar returns to school so the absence can be excused. To view the Indiana Code for excused absences, click here.
SBCSC Speech Therapists will be conducting the state mandated hearing screenings of all Kindergarten, 1st, 4th, & 7th grade scholars (along with any scholars new to SBCSC) on September 24th. Parents/guardians will be notified by the SBCSC Audiologist if the scholar demonstrates difficulty with their hearing after a second screening is administered. Parents will not be notified unless the scholar does not meet the state standards for hearing screenings.
With scholars in mind,
Ms. Angela Ruiz, Ed.S.
Attendance...it matters
Encouraging regular school attendance is one of the most powerful ways a parent can prepare their scholar for success—both in school and in life. When school attendance a priority, you help your scholar get better grades, develop healthy life habits, avoid dangerous behavior and have a better chance of graduating from high school.
When scholars are absent for fewer days, their grades and reading skills often improve—even among those scholars who are struggling in school. Scholars who attend school regularly also feel more connected to their community, develop important social skills and friendships, and are significantly more likely to graduate from high school, setting them up for a strong future.
But when scholars are absent for an average of just two days of school per month—even when the absences are excused– it can have a negative impact. These absences can affect scholars as early as Kindergarten.
For example, young elementary scholars who miss an average of just two school days per month often have difficulty keeping up with their peers academically and tend to fall behind in reading. However, when scholars are able to read on grade level by the end of third grade, which is when students transition from learning to read to reading to learn, they are three to four times more likely to graduate high school and attend college, post-graduate, or professional development classes than their peers who struggle with reading.
As a parent, you can prepare your scholar for a lifetime of success by making regular school attendance a priority.
This week is College GO! Week
The CIA Cougars will participate in the following activities:
Monday, September 24th - school spirit day (show your Cougar pride)
Tuesday, September 25th - crazy hat day (wear your favorite hat)
Wednesday, September 26th - jean day (wear jeans with your school approved polo)
Thursday, September 27th - crazy sock day (wear your craziest socks)
Friday, September 28-A dress down day where students are allowed to wear college t-shirts, or sweatshirts with uniform pants/shorts/skirts.
“College GO! Week is all about giving Hoosiers the information and support they need to not only go to college, but to complete college. Whether you are a parent with a scholar that is just beginning their school journey or an adult planning to return to school, there are specific steps you should be taking now to be on the path to college and career success. College GO! Week encourages scholars to complete practical college-readiness activities at each grade level, including creating a graduation plan, visiting college campuses and applying to college. Many Indiana colleges are waiving application fees in support of College GO! Week. Scholars and families can learn more about fee waivers, grade-specific checklists and related college-planning resources on the College GO! Week website at CollegeGoWeekIndiana.org.
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.
School Pictures
Student Council (STCO) News
CIA's Student Council is up and running. For now, the Student Council will have student members from the 5th-8th grades. The first meeting was Thursday, September 13th, where STCO began the process of working on the list of organizations STCO will sponsor this year. The scholars who were present at the meeting, will pose the question in their homeroom class to ensure all CIA scholars have a voice in the decision. STCO seeks to partner with the Parent Teacher Student Organization (PTSO) as our team grows together.
Important information for students who are members of STCO includes:
* Meetings will be held on the 2nd & 4th Thursday of every month, when school is in session.
* All members, the official classroom representative and the alternate will need to be at the September 27th meeting in order to receive important information about STCO.
* STCO has designed the t-shirts for the year. If anyone is in need of an order form, please request the form from the homeroom teacher.
* All STCO members have to have a signed parent agreement form in order to participate.
* STCO meetings will be held after school with dismissal at 5:30 PM. Car riders are to be picked up at door 5. Any students not picked up by 5:50 PM will receive a ride home from the 6:00 activity bus.
Battle of the Books
Yes, it is time to begin the after school Battle of the Books Club. This is a club for 6th - 8th grade scholars who love to READ! Battle of the Book meeting will be held every week during the school year. During the meetings, scholars will read the required books, engage in book discussion and prepare for the annual Battle of the Books competition that will be held in May, 2019. The requirements for participation include:
•Attend Battle of the Book Club meetings each Wednesdays from 4:10 to 5:30. Meetings are scheduled to begin on Wednesday, October 10.
•Have pre-arranged transportation from school at 5:30 p.m. (door 5) on meeting days. Scholars who are not picked up by 5:50 will be moved to door 17 and will ride the activity bus, if their ride has not arrived by 6:00 PM.
•Read no less than five of the books from the list of approved titles; there are 20 books to choose from.
•Maintain passing grades and good character throughout the school year.
Scholars may participate in Battle Club as athletes. Ms. Simpson will work with scholars, parents and coaches to ensure participation in the Book Club does not hinder athletic activity.
Interested scholars should see Ms. Simpson for a Permission Slip.
A Salute to Veterans
Did you know that November 11th marks the 100th anniversary of the signing of the Armistice that ended WWI? November 11th was selected as Veteran's Day because of the significance of the treaty that was signed on this day, 100 years ago. This year will be our 99th Veteran's Day! The CIA Cougars aim to honor those who fought during WWI and who are currently members of any branch of the US Military. Please email the names of your family members that have served or are currently serving in any of the Armed forces to Mrs. Pol so that we may include them in the recognition ceremony that will take place on Monday, November 12, 2018.
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