CURRENT NEWS

PARENTS – SUBMIT FORMS ASAP
Colorado law requires a Notice of Intent to Home School form (NOI) each new school year (1 per family), for children age 6 and up. Please turn this form in to our CSP office; we will deliver it to D20 to save you time. The NOI can be found online under FEES & FORMS. Also submit the Homeschool Status Report form (1 per CSP child) and the TCA Letter of Understanding (new parents only). If you have already submitted these forms, please disregard this request,

PREVIOUSLY POSTED NEWS

TEACHER IN-SERVICE TREATS
We are looking for a few parent volunteers who would like to provide treats for our teachers at CSP in-service meetings. The meetings will be held on November 9, January 3, March 7, and April 17. If you can provide a treat for one of these dates please call Lainie in the CSP Office at 487-2021 or email lmacdonald@asd20.org.


VOLUNTEERING 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, http://www.tcatitans.org/common/pages/DisplayFile.aspx?itemId=5229436, and return to the office.

If you were an approved volunteer during the 2016-17 school year, you do not need to fill out a new packet. Also, CSP will NOT need volunteer drivers for field trips this year. Students will ride a bus.


CSP CURRICULUM

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 mandatory; 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

CSP will especially focus on COURAGE and KINDNESS this year. Our CSP staff weaves character lessons throughout our subject studies. Various character traits are taught at each grade level per month. The current trait is ‘Love of Learning.” 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.

PARENTS – teach Reading & Spelling at home
Although we are a Language Arts program, we don't teach K-8 Reading nor Gr. 3-8 Spelling. We highly recommend that you teach these subjects at home using curriculum you've purchased. Go to K-2 webpages - TEACHING READING AT HOME for helpful resources.

IEW TRIAD
CSP upholds the “IEW Triad” – parents + student + teacher – to create, edit and publish IEW assignments. Although we often encourage upper elem. students to manage much of their own schoolwork, it is expected that parents edit their child IEW Sloppy Copy + Graded Copy, and sign off the designated IEW checklist when editing is complete. (This is a Gr. 3-8 expectation.) Points are deducted for missing signature.

SHURLEY ENGLISH TRIAD
CSP upholds a “Shurley English” Triad – parent + student + teacher working together to learn Gr. 1-2 Grammar. Parents may purchase or check out the Shurley English Teacher Answer Key to correct their child’s grammar worksheets at home. (This is a Gr. 1-2 expectation.) Return homework for a grade each week.

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.

TCA-EAST LIBRARY
Books may now be checked out.  All CSP K-6th students and their parents are in the database.

CSP WEBSITE & D20 PARENT PORTAL

TCA’s website: http://www.tcatitans.org

 SIGN & DROP OFF 3 PARENT FORMS (click on Fees & Forms)
• Notice of Intent to Homeschool – 1 per family
• Homeschool Status Report – 1 per child
• TCA Letter of Understanding – new parents only
****if you have already submitted your forms, you may disregard this request.

PAY MANDATORY STUDENT FEES – www.payforit.net
CSP 2017-18 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.

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 (1) 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. 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.

CARPOOL

Refer to Carpool Map
Plan extra time during the first few days of school - follow the directions of the carpool attendants. Please be patient and courteous in the carpool line. NO CELL PHONE USE during carpool. Student safety is imperative. Come to a complete stop at the stop signs - PPCC campus police are rightfully vigilant and issue tickets if necessary.

OPTIONS for 3:30 PICK-UP:
1. Pick Up - Park in the big lot & wait outside the classroom door. If you are not waiting at the classroom at 3:30, your child will follow the teacher to the Drive-Up area of carpool. (Gr. K-2, front curb. Gr. 3-8, field)
2. Walk Up (Parent Waiting Area) --Students may walk to the blacktop by the playground and wait for parent to walk up and collect them. (Choose this option only if student is with an older sibling or after practicing the walk-up with a parent.)
3. Drive Up--Drive through East Elementary carpool. Students stand with teacher either on the front curb (Gr. K-2) or by the field (Gr. 3-8).

Students not picked up by 3:45 pm will be escorted to the CSP office. Parent will be called; arrive promptly - the office closes at 4:00 pm.

FRONT ENTRANCE KIOSK

Bring photo ID each time you enter the building. The Kiosk attendant uses Raptor technology to provide a visitor badge. (All D20 Elementary schools & TCA campuses use Raptor Scan.)

UPCOMING TCA EVENTS

ELEMENTARY GOLF TOURNAMENT
Come enjoy and play 9 holes of golf on Friday, September 15th at 1:30pm.
Cherokee Ridge Golf Course. Elementary students will play on the Par 3 course, $10. Deadline for Entry Sept. 13, 2016. Click here for entry form or pick one up in the Junior High office. Prizes will be awarded!
Questions call Bob Gravelle 210-6288 or bobgravelle@comcast.net. Turn in entry forms to Junior High Office.

TCA-East PTO CARNIVAL
Fri. Sept 8, 4:00 – 7:00 pm
All homeschool families and friends are invited to this fun family event!

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.

KING SOOPERS NEIGHBORHOOD REWARDS PROGRAM

Last year CSP earned over $1500 from the King Soopers rewards program. You can pick up a reloadable gift card in the CSP office. The initial cost is $5 per card, and the card is pro-loaded with $5. Every time you reload the card, CSP receives 5% back from King Soopers. Please consider supporting CSP with this easy program. For more details, contact the CSP office at 487-2000.


COMMUNITY NEWS 

WHAT IF FESTIVAL
The 8th annual What If Festival is scheduled for Sat. Sept 9.

This memorable, free family event spans six city blocks in downtown Colorado Springs.

"A day full of joy and "wows". 100+ interactive experiences in engineering, science, technology, the arts, and local festival food."

Visit the website for more details and a schedule of events:
http://whatif-festival.org/