Sept 12, 2016

Grade Level News
Click link below for 
grade level newsletter   

Kindergarten
1st Grade
2nd Grade
3rd Grade
4th Grade
5th Grade
6th Grade
7th & 8th Grade


QUICK LINKS
Staff

CSP Calendar

Lunch Information

CSP Handbook

TCA Website

Palmarium


Titan Creed


LATE START SCHEDULE CSP
All day classes
Grade 1-8
10:15 AM to 3:30 PM
Kindergarten
AM class--10:15-12:30
PM class--1:15-3:30  



Contact Us
12201 Cross Peak View
Colorado Springs Co 80921
(719) 487-2000








            



From the Principal’s desk…

Thank you, parents for attending Back to School Night last Thursday. We appreciate your desire to partner with our staff and learn more about how each particular teacher manages Language Arts & Specials instruction. We enjoyed hearing from Dr. Russ Sojourner, TCA President, and Tom LaValley, the Board rep assigned to CSP this year.

We briefly discussed TCA's Core Values, which include healthy conflict resolution among students, staff and parents. So if you have an issue or concern with a teacher or administrator, I highly encourage you to follow TCA's Conflict Resolution protocol. Instead of waiting to air an anonymous grievance in the parent survey in February, our staff greatly appreciates the opportunity to work with you to resolve any problems or concerns as they arise throughout the year. Please contact the staff member to set up an appointment to meet in person or chat via phone or email.

TCA Conflict Resolution Policy
How we resolve conflict is an important indicator of our individual character. As parents, students, and school personnel, we need to commit ourselves to personally seek reconciliation with others when a wrong, perceived or real, has occurred. Specifically, if a parent has a concern about a class or teacher, the parent should meet with the teacher first. If this first meeting does not resolve the issue, a conference with the parent, teacher, and administration can be scheduled. If the conflict is
still not resolved, the parent may meet with the staff member, his/her supervisor, and the TCA President. The final level for resolution is the staff member, supervisor, TCA President, and the TCA Board of Directors. If a parent/student has a conflict with another parent/student, the parents and students should meet to resolve any differences or concerns.


Sincerely,


Susan Nosal
 
IMPORTANT DATES - CSP Calendar of Events

THIS WEEK

CSP GRANDPARENTS WEEK
Sept. 12-15
Details will be sent by your teacher.


CURRENT NEWS

DENIM WEEK – STAFF AND STUDENTS
September 26-29
Wear denim bottoms with a uniform shirt.

No athletic wear or frayed edges.
Kinder – wear denim Wed or Thursday

TCA FALL BREAK – Oct. 10 – 14

CSP FALL TEACHER-TEACHER CONFERENCES – OCT. 17 – 20
No classes this week.
Students will be assigned homework to be completed during conference week. It is due when classes resume, week of Oct. 24.
Sign up for a 15 min. time slot when your teacher sends invites to parents via SignUp.com (formerly known as VolunteerSpot.com).

PAY MANDATORY STUDENT FEES – www.payforit.net
CSP 2016-17 Student Fees are online at CSP/ Fees & Forms. Pay mandatory CSP fees on-line through your Infinite Campus Parent Portal. Parents input child’s Student ID to complete the account set-up. Use payforit username and password to log onto: www.payforit.net. You may pay TCA student fees without incurring any convenience fee. (NOTE: There is a convenience fee for online lunch-money payments.) Questions? Contact Toni DeMott, tdemott@asd20.org, 488-6479.

Gr. 5 READERS
Battle of the Books is a fun, enriching activity for fifth graders only. Each year a committee of teachers and librarians, from around Colorado Springs, select 40 books to be the Battle Books. Fifth graders then read as many of the 40 books as they can in order to compete on a team with three other students. The competition will be held in the spring and up to two teams from TCA Cottage school will compete against teams from all around the city. Throughout the year we will read and practice for the competition on various Fridays. It is a lot of fun as well as a lot of work! Books can be checked out at any of the Pikes Peak Public Libraries or the TCA library. If you are interested, please contact me for more information.
Mrs. Terri Hatfield
Mom of Riley Hatfield, CSP 5th grader
719-321-0415
hatfieldent@wwdb.org

MOZART STRINGS PROJECT
Beginning string instruction (violin/viola/cello/bass)
Gr. 3 - 5 (2nd graders considered with previous musical instruction.)
*An Information meeting was held last Friday, Sept. 9.
Classes start Tuesday September 20, 6 pm at
Church at Briargate
9550 Otero Ave (across from TCA-Central)
Visit www.csysa.com for list of other Mozart sites and times
Space is limited! For more info or to get on our waitlist
Contact: Renee Botton 660-1310 or Renee@geekfamily.org


KING SOOPERS REWARD CARDS AVAILABLE- CSP earns 5%
Purchase your reloadable CSP Rewards Card for $5.00 from the CSP office. Your card will be loaded with $5.00 – so the card is FREE! Every time you reload the card, CSP receives 5% back from King Soopers. Last year we earned over $1500. We purchased several Easy Grammar manuals for parents to check out from the Lending Library. The card is good at Kroger, City Market, Loaf & Jug, and other affiliates listed on the card. Please consider supporting CSP with this easy program. For more details, contact Lainie in the CSP office at 487-2021.

EAST LIBRARY POLICY
College Pathways students may not be in the elementary wing at any time. They are to enter and exit through the atrium and are not to utilize the elementary hallways. CP students who would like to volunteer on a regular basis in the library or elementary classrooms should see Mrs. Grace Ferguson to submit an application. Her email is gferguson@asd20.org.

• Only K-6 students (both traditional program and CSP) have checkout privileges at the East library. All students in grades 7-12 must check out from the secondary library at the North campus.

• Students aren’t allowed to hang out & do homework in the library after school unless accompanied by a parent.

• Students are welcome to check out books after school, but must then head out to carpool if not accompanied by a parent.

TEACHER IN-SERVICE TREATS

We are looking for a few parent volunteers who would like to provide treats for our teachers at their in-service meetings. The meetings will be held on January 10, March 1, and April 20. If you would like to provide a treat for one of these dates, please call Lainie in the CSP Office at 487-2021 or email lmacdonald@asd20.org.

NEW FIELD TRIP CHAPERONES AT TCA
As you know, TCA students, staff, and parents enjoy a warm, caring community that fosters the highest standards of academic, social, and emotional growth. The efforts of our parent & non-parent volunteers are a vital part of that community. In an effort to further ensure the safety of our students, TCA and Academy School District 20 require that all field trip chaperones and regularly-scheduled classroom helpers complete a background check and confidentiality agreement prior to chaperoning or working with our students. Please complete the Volunteer forms through this link and return them to the office.

If you were an approved volunteer during the 2015-16 school year, you do not need to fill out a new packet. Also, CSP will NOT need volunteer drivers for field trips this year.


 CSP CURRICULUM

SPALDING PHONICS DVD AVAILABLE
Gr. K- 2 parents may check out a DVD of actual Spalding Phonics and Spelling lessons taught by CSP teachers. This DVD is a valuable resource for parents wanting to practice the phonogram cards and spelling lessons at home. Also, our “Spalding Parent Training” is included on this DVD in case you were unable to attend the training session held on Aug. 29. Contact Ruth Kozyra, CSP Curriculum & Program Specialist, at rkozyra@asd20.org to make an appointment for a Lending Library check-out. A $20 refundable cash deposit is required.

HOW TO ORDER IEW VOCABULARY CARDS
CSP Parents may purchase a set of Vocabulary Cards from IEW (Institute for Excellence in Writing). The Vocab Cards are considered a “SPECIAL ORDER” item. The cards not required; however, students will be tested on IEW vocab words throughout the year. When you call in your order, specify which thematic book your child is using this year in TCA-CSP:

Grade 4 – All Things Fun & Fascinating
This list of vocab words is only listed in the Teacher’s Manual, not the Student Book. Each week, the new vocab words will be listed in the Gr. 3 weekly newsletter.
• Grade 5 – Narnia
There is a word list in the Student Book that students can use to construct their own flashcards.
• Grade 6 - U. S. History-Based Vol. 1 – non-consumable flashcards included in Student Book; students copy their own set.
• Grade 7 – Medieval History – students will make their own cards; no need to purchase.
• Grade 8 - U. S. History-Based Vol. 2 – non-consumable flashcards included in Student Book; students copy their own set.
Contact IEW: CALL TOLL-FREE: 1-800-856-5815, Ext. 5004

CHARACTER
Our CSP staff weaves character lessons throughout our subject studies. Various character traits are taught at each grade level per month. Classes are focusing on Kindness, Love of Learning, and Curiosity in September. The TCA Creed is the cornerstone of K-12 Character education across TCA. In each CSP classroom and in Classical Elements, students engage in rich discussions about each line of the Creed to understand the values we uphold. Mutual respect is emphasized and practiced daily. We’ll share these enriching classroom experiences so you may continue character conversations at home, perhaps around your dinner table or on car rides.

CSP LENDING LIBRARY
A variety of homeschool materials and required CSP curriculum are available to check out for a minimal refundable cash deposit. You may check out the materials for the entire year. Please make an appointment with Ruth Kozyra, CSP Curriculum & Program Specialist, at rkozyra@asd20.org, 487-2027.

K-2 PARENT SPALDING CLASS
If you are new to TCA, or you would like to have more knowledge about the Spalding program at TCA, then this class is for you. You will learn the phonograms, word markings, spelling rules, syllabication rules, and handwriting hints related to the spelling part of Spalding. We will also discuss reading comprehension strategies.

12-hour class split into

3 Saturday sessions, 4 hours each
AT TCA-Central campus in Sherry Wilkewitz’s classroom.

The dates and times are as follows:
Saturday, October 22nd - 8:00-12:00
Saturday, October 29th - 8:00-12:00
Saturday, November 5th - 8:00-12:00

The cost for this class is $35. You may send cash or check to your TCA campus office.
Please register with Sherry at wilkewi@asd20.org.
Registration deadline: Friday, October 14th.



CSP WEBSITE & D20 PARENT PORTAL

TCA’s website: www.tcatitans.org

SIGN & DROP OFF 3 PARENT FORMS (click on Fees & Forms)
Notice of Intent to Homeschool
• Homeschool Status Report – 1 per child
• TCA Letter of Understanding – new parents only

 

D20 PARENT PORTAL
If you have trouble logging into IC, contact help@asd20.org or 719-234-1777.
D20 asked parents to change their student’s password on IC this summer. You won’t be able to access IC until this is done. Read CSP Handbook, sign off on IC – Extended Parent Portal – that you read this important document. Also sign off on permission for other IC docs listed in your parent portal.


INFINITE CAMPUS
Do you need help with Infinite Campus? Click here for help. 
Infinite Campus 
IC FAQ

EMERGENCY CONTACTS UPDATE
Update your student’s Emergency Contacts in Infinite Campus. Students will only be released to a parent or the Emergency Contacts listed in IC.
Log into your IC extended portal account.  Add/update up to 3 contacts. Put “John and Nancy Doe” instead of just “John Doe” under “Name”. (This method allows you 6 people as Emergency Contacts.)


CSP POLICY

DUAL ENROLLMENT GUIDELINES
CSP does not allow dual enrollment with other state funded schools. Submit one HOMESCHOOL STATUS REPORT for each homeschooled child. Please contact Sherry Cory at scory@asd20.org or Susan Nosal, CSP Principal, snosal@asd20.org if you have questions.

UNIFORMS
View the elementary  uniform policy and JH uniform policy on the CSP website. **Note hair length guidelines. Neutral shoes are best. Students need to wear sneakers on PE days. JH students wear an athletic uniform for PE. Students may wear a solid color crew neck sweatshirt, cardigan sweater or TCA logo hoodie in the classroom in approved TCA colors - navy, hunter green, red, or white.

Teachers will issue uniform violation slips to students who are out of uniform. Please sign and return the slip the following week - check that your child wears proper student attire each week.



UPCOMING TCA EVENTS


LANDSHARKS FALL CROSS COUNTRY SERIES
The TCA-EAST campus Landsharks Running Club offers a non-competitive youth program to introduce running to young athletes in a safe and fun environment. The Fall Cross Country Series is a six-week school program led by Coach Chris Heiser, open to Gr. K – 6 students. The cost is $59 per runner. Practices are Tuesdays and Thursdays, 3:55 pm to 4:45 pm, Mary Kyer Park, Aug. 30 – Oct. 4 (party). Races start at 4 pm on Sundays, Sept. 18, 25 and Oct. 2 @ the Air Force Academy (next to the stadium). Races last approximately 1.5 hours. Runners (K-6) will run one event each race. If you have questions, contact Coach Chris at 719-375-5640 or usna.21412@yahoo.com.

Please register online prior to the first practice on Tuesday, August 30
Registrations close Wed. Sept. 14 for the season.
www.landsharkrunclub.com


TCA FAMILY NEWS

BOX TOPS
Turn in those box tops and soup labels you have collected over the year. As you do your back-to-school shopping, please remember that Box Tops can be found on a wide variety of food and paper products as well as some Hanes apparel. You can access the complete list of eligible products at www.btfe.com. Watch for bonus Box Tops on products and your shopping receipts too. If you are an on-line shopper, you can earn e-Box Tops by logging into btfe.com, then going to your preferred website to shop. Each single Box Top is worth 10 cents; bonus Box Tops are worth more. We earn thousands of dollars every year for TCA East & CSP! If you have a King Soopers or Safeway card, you can register them at eLabelsforEducation.com and earn bonus points for TCA East. Clip the UPC codes on the label and turn them in at school. We also accept caps from eligible beverages and sauces. Find the complete list at labelsforeducation.com.

MATH MANIPULATIVES
If you or a homeschool friend are interested in math manipulatives, please contact Candace Velarde, Velardehouse@gmail.com .

TITAN CLUB
Join the Titan Club! Show your school spirit and help our kids play, sing, and act their hearts out. Over the past few years, more than $40,000 of needed items has been purchased through the Titan Club membership program. Click here to see what Titan Club approved this year!
It’s easy to join, simply go to www.tcatitans.org and click on Support TCA or click here to join today. Being in Titan Club helps our kids and you’ll join hundreds of other TCA families who show their school spirit.
And thank you in advance for your support of TCA’s Titan Club.


COMMUNITY NEWS


Homeschooler educational field trip days

    Living history days.
     http://www.livinghistorydays.com/events/info/


    Colorado history homeschool event October 4.
    http://www.historycolorado.org/event/afternoon-past-home-school-students-1

     Maker faire
     PPLD October 15
        https://coloradospringsmakerfaire.com/


Colorado Springs Children’s Chorale
OVERTURE - PERFORMANCE PREP CLASS
For young performers in grades K-3, Children’s Chorale offers Overture, a non-auditioned, fun, fast-paced introduction to pitch-matching, choral singing, basic music theory and drama!
Meets Tuesdays, starting September 20.
$150 for 9-week class.

LITERARY CONTEST

The Michael Garman Museum & Gallery is hosting their 4th Annual Literary Contest for students of the Pikes Peak Region.  Click here for more information. 

Betty Field Memorial Youth Writing Contest - 2017
All 6th through 12th grade students in El Paso County and in areas served by the Pikes Peak Library District are invited to enter the Betty Field Memorial Youth Writing Contest-2017 and earn top honors plus cash prizes. This annual mystery writing contest encourages students to develop their creative writing skills. Details at www.writingcontest612.info. Deadline for submission of entries is 5:00 PM, Saturday, February 25, 2017. The winning authors in all categories will be honored at the April 15, 2017 Awards & Recognition Program. Questions? Contact Diane Pfalzgraf, PPLD Contest Coordinator, (719) 591-2404, 10 AM to 7 PM or email at FriendsPPLD@pcisys.net


Pikes Peak Library District (PPLD) Homeschool Hub
www.ppld.org
The public libraries offer activities & events for homeschool families