Connecting Waters Charter School
Happy New Year!
Sherri Nelson, Director
and Leita Barlow, Assessment Coordinator
Last year was a good year for Connecting Waters, but I think that this year is even better! The parent list serve has really been a wonderful way to get information out to all of you. Our online monthly newsletters also provide you with regular updates. Vendors and Contract Program Courses can now be viewed from the school webpage. If you have internet access, please sign up for the parent list serve. Many of you have done so already by emailing msilva@ieminc.org. If you have not yet emailed your request, please do!! If you are not online, ask your ES for monthly updates from the newsletter and list serve at your meetings.
If you have been reading the newsletters, you are aware of some great things: we have received 100% funding through the SB740 waiver process, we are distributing the free Edusoft accounts to those who have requested them, we have a co-op in Riverbank and one in Waterford, our enrollment is up, and we are moving forward in our accreditation process. Wow, I’m tired just thinking about it!
The accreditation process allows us to evaluate our school and make improvements as needed. During this evaluation, or self study, we will be answering these two very important survey questions through an in-depth process: How are the students achieving? Is the school doing everything possible to support high achievement for all its students? This evaluation process will involve our teachers, staff, you, our wonderful parents and students.
Because of the accreditation process, we will be sending you surveys throughout the year to gather data that we need to complete our self study report. Please take time to complete and return all surveys that we send to you. Our yearly Star testing and the California High School Exit Exam for 10th graders next semester will also provide important data for our self study which will prove our school’s accountability.
Testing has also become vitally important for the continuance of the school, due to the recent passage of this new legislation concerning charter schools, Assembly Bill 1137. It is now vital that 95% of our students participate in the state mandated STAR testing/ assessment each year in order for our school to stay in existence. Without this minimum attendance at the STAR testing, charter schools will not be able to meet the new condition for renewal. Thus, this year the state mandated testing has become important for both our school accountability and for our charter school survival!
We are working hard to accommodate our student’s needs for test participation. New this year for you there will be a test administration offered in the evening hours for those students who cannot attend the daytime administrations. We have rented some different facilities in various communities to better serve our testing needs. We are recruiting parent volunteers to help with supervision, break time activities, snacks, etc. Our goal is to transform this annual testing event into a positive, fun educational experience for our students. Parents can volunteer by letting their ES know or by contacting the assessment department directly at 1-800-979-4436.
Your ES will assist you with your student’s individual test information. If you have some specific concerns, please talk with your ES who will then pass that information on to the Assessment Department. Test information is posted on the Connecting Waters Charter School website at the following link: http://www.ieminc.org/Assessment/index.htm. Information will be updated as it is approved, so check often for more details as we approach the testing dates.
Thank you in advance for reserving the testing dates on your calendar! We appreciate your positive cooperation, as we work together with you to make our school better. We look forward to achieving this by earning accreditation and by keeping our school open, to operate long into the future, successfully and creatively.
May you and your family have a safe and happy year with family and friends!
Do You Have the Home
Schooling Blues?
Sherri Nelson, Director
I remember when I was teaching my children
at home that right about now I would experience BURNOUT. Is this true for you or did you have a
restful vacation and you are ready to meet all challenges that a new year
brings? I hope that you are rested and
refreshed! But in case you’re not and
you spent time teaching things that you didn’t quite have enough time to
complete when school was in session, I want you to know that you are not alone.
Many parents experience the same feeling of burnout. When I felt this way I would read a few
chapters in Homeschool Burnout by Raymond S. Moore, Ed.D. & Dorothy
N. Moore, M.A. After reading some of
this book I became less uptight and could easily make it through the rest of
the school year. I believe that it’s all
about our attitude and you know our children feed off of us when it comes to
attitude. If I am calm and relaxed about
something my children are calm and relaxed but if I am uptight they are
also. It’s important to be encouraged
and assured that you are on the right track. Your student is enrolled in a
school that received WASC candidacy of accreditation status in it’s first year
of operation, congratulations! We have
an awesome team of ESs, advisors, classified staff, the experience of IEM,
parent council members, and a district that thinks we’re doing great things for
students!
Your Es has so much
experience and she/he can give you techniques and ideas to help you in
educating your student(s). Your ES is
available for you! We also have great
classes planned for the second semester at the Manteca and Ceres/Modesto
Learning Centers. Many of these classes
will help fill in some of the gaps that you are concerned about. I would encourage you to enroll your
students in not only in high interest classes that will interest your students
but classes that will help them to achieve success on the standardized
tests. Several of the courses are taught
by credentialed teachers who have different techniques to help your
student(s). If you haven’t already done
so you should sign up for the parent list serve by emailing msilva@ieminc.org and stating that you
would like to be added to Connecting Waters parent list serve!
Our mission is to:
Empower a community of parents, students, and teachers to create learning opportunities
which will develop accountable, responsible, and contributing members of
society who are independent, life-long learners. Please let us know how we are doing in
achieving this goal for you and your students.
Our staff hopes that you have a wonderful
and happy new year!
Attention:
A-G Courses for 2002 through 2004 are now updated and on the web for Connecting Waters Charter School. They can be found on the Guidance page under Graduation Requirements with UC/UCS Approved a-g courses. We hope this is helpful for all
our students that are planning on going through the UC or UCS system for their undergraduate work.
Guidance
REQUIREMENT FOR 1ST GRADERS
Child Health and Disability
Prevention Program (CHDP) is a preventative health program serving California’s
children and youth. CHDP makes early health care available to eligible
children, not only children with obvious health problems, but also to children
who seem well. The
CHDP program works with the Department of Education in administering and
monitoring this requirement and assists low-income children to meet the
requirement by providing them with state-paid health assessments.
CHDP School Requirements:
By law, all children
entering the first grade are required to have either
a certificate of a CHDP
health examination or a waiver on file at the school in which they enroll.
School health examinations must be completed within 18 months prior to or 90
days after 1st grade entry unless the parent or guardian signs a
waiver stating they do not want, or they are unable to obtain an examination
for their child.
If you have questions
regarding the CHDP requirements please call
Cary Sharp in Student
Records at 800-979-4436.
Revised 12/23/03
Spring ‘04 Classes
Course Name Grades Dates Time
Instructor Cost
TUESDAYS
Better Writing 5-7 8 Weeks 1-2:15 W. Arotca $7
(School Sponsored) 1/20-3/9
Better Writing 3-4 8 Weeks 2:30-3:30 W. Arotca $7
(School Sponsored) 1/20-3/9
HS Writing 7-11 1/6-8/18 11-12:00 T. Matranga $144
Zebra (Painting) 4-12 1/6-5/18 9-11:00 T.
Treasures $220 PO
Call Michelle Dunwoody for availability 572-4425
Seascape(Painting) 4-12 1/6-5/18 11-1:00 T.
Treasures $220 PO
Call Michelle Dunwoody for availability 572-4425
Floral (Painting) 4-12 1/6-5/18
1-2:00 T. Treasures $160 PO
Call Michelle Dunwoody for availability 572-4425
Landscape(Painting) 4-12 1/6-5/18 2-3:00 T.
Treasures $160 PO
Call Michelle Dunwoody for availability 572-4425
WEDNESDAYS
Math 1-3 1/7-3/3
10-11:00 J. Sandberg $45
Intro To
Illustration 2-4 1/7-5/18 9-10:00 P.
Maness $125
WEDNESDAY/THURSDAYS
Computer-Aided
Illustration 9-12
1/7-5-19 10-11:00 P.
Maness $250
THURSDAYS
Intermediate
Illustration 5-8 1/8-5/19 9-10:00
P. Maness $125
WEDNESDAY/FRIDAYS
Grammar & Lit. 9-12 1/7-5/19 12-1:00 J. Case $205
Psychology 9-12 1/7-5/19 1-2:00 J. Case $205
Public Speaking 9-12 1/7-5/19 2-3:00 J. Case $205
FRIDAYS
Math 4-6 1/7-3/3 10-11:00 J.
Sandberg $45
Also Available Offsite
*Science Camp (Outdoor Education) Grades 5 & 6, April 26-30 at Redwood
Camp, LaHonda CA (Between Half Moon Bay & Santa Cruz) $204-$245 depending
on number going. Have ES sign up in Webfiles and email Cathy Moretto,
cmoretto@connectingwaters.org.
*Ice skating- Oak Park Ice Rink, Stockton, 937-8123. $6.50 per 2-hour session,
includes lesson, skates, and ice time. Thursdays, 10:00-12:00. May close in
March for refurbishing. PO to City of Stockton Parks & Rec.
*Karate- Mitoses, Union & Lathrop Rd in Raleys Shopping Center. $60 per
month. Mondays -Thursdays, 6-7:00 pm. (2-4 sessions per week). 823-2662
evenings or Lily Cortez, 825-1543 daytime.
Also at Mitoses: Little Dragons, 4-6 year olds, $45 month, Wed. 5-6 p.m. &
Sat. 9-10 a.m.
*Cindy's Sewing School, Kids Can Sew- $30 for a pattern package + $35 per month
or Jan-May for $175. Cindy Hall, Eleanor Lane, Manteca, 825-5956. Call Cindy
for class times and availability.
*Esteem Dance- In Ripon. Ballet & Jazz. Call for prices & details.
599-2046
*Gymstars- Gymnastics, Cheerleading, Karate, & Hip Hop Dance, 1740 W Hammer
Lane, Stockton. Ask for Casey, 957-1919 $47-57 per month. Parents pay yearly
registration fee of $39-first child, $25-second child.
To unsubscribe from this group, send an
email to:
CWCSParents-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
Pending
Spanish Classes
We have secured a Spanish
teacher for the Manteca site. Pending
approval, we have set up the following classes to begin in February:
Intro to Spanish 3-7 Grades 3-7 2/5-5/20/04 Thursdays 12:30-1:30 R.
Gomez $75
Class will emphasize conversational Spanish as well as
culture.
Spanish 1-Standards Grades 8-12 2/5-5/20/04 Thursdays 2-3
PM R.
Gomez $75
Class will focus on cultural and other standards for HS Foreign
Language credit.
Both classes will meet at the Manteca Learning Center. Sign up through
your ES in Webfiles.
Modesto Learning Center News
A new year brings new and
exciting classes at our Modesto Learning Center! Take advantage of these
wonderful cooperative learning activities.
Are you looking for your child
to have a strong foundation in music and singing fundamentals? Try our new
guitar classes which will teach students to know their guitars, chord
variations, key and scale variations, sight singing, and even writing their own
songs!
Does your child enjoy drawing?
We have two new drawing classes available which will teach students fundamental
aspects of drawing, shapes, light and dark colors, and perspective. They will
create fantastic finished art pieces of impressionistic shapes and color, still
life, city and country roads, structures, landscapes, and animals.
Classes may fill up so ask your
ES to sign you up for these and other spring classes as soon as possible!
Modesto Learning Center
Spring Classes
Updated 12/12/03
Approximately
Monday
2 - 5:00 1/12/04 Tutoring K-6 Bianca Ewell $25hr.
2 – 3:00 1/26/04 Psychology (12 wk) 9th – 12th Dr. Joanna Case $145
3 – 4:00 1/26/04 Public Speaking 9th- 12th Dr. Joanna Case $145
4:00 - 5:00 Electricity (6 wk) 7th – 12th Mr. Varner $55
Tuesday
9:00 – 10:15 1/20/04 Better Writing (8 wk) 5th –7th Wendy Arotca $7 SS
10:30 – 11:30 1/20/04 Better Writing (8 wk) 3rd – 4th Wendy Arotca $7 SS
1:00 – 2:00 HS Writing 8th – 11th T. Matranga $144
Tuesday & Thursday
11:00 – 12:00 Spanish 1 2nd – 6th Bob Monroe $130
12:00 – 1:00 Spanish 1 (2nd sem.) 7th- 12th Bob Monroe $130
Wednesday
9:00 – 12:15 Hands on Science 3-5th Daneen Campa $112
10:30 – 11:00 Math Prep 3-5th Daneen Campa $112
11:30 – 12:30 *Arts and Crafts (10 wk) K – 6th Debbie Siam $60
12:00 – 1:00 Spanish 1 (1st sem.) 7th –12th Bob Monroe $130
12:45 – 1:45 *Arts and Crafts (10 wk) 6th – 10th Debbie Siam $60
2:00 – 3:00 *Health and Exercise (10wk) 2nd – 6th Debbie Siam $60
Thursday
9:00 - 3:30 Piano K - 12th Cathy Pearson $225
12:00 – 12:45 Violin K – 12th Caroline Wallace TBA
Friday
9:30 – 10:15 1/23/04 Learning to Draw K – 6th Judy Gray $110
10:30 – 11:45 1/23/04 Basic Drawing 7th – 12th Judy Gray $110
12:00 – 1:00 1/23/04 Guitar Beginning Level Judy Gray $154
1:00-2:00 1/23/04 Guitar Int/ Advanced Judy Gray $154
12:15 – 2:15 Pre-Algebra 7th – 12th John Pelezynski $216
2:30 – 4:30 Algebra 1 Lab 7th – 12th John Pelezynski $216
Do you find that your second grader needs extra help in reading? Is your 10th grader frustrated with Algebra? Are you looking for more effective ways to help them in specific areas? The Modesto Learning Center has several tutors available for all grade levels and all subjects. We have credentialed teachers as well as college students working on their credentials. Tutors are available to meet at the MLC at designated times or even at a library near your home. Tutoring ranges in price depending upon teacher experience and student time. If you are interested in finding a tutor for your child, please contact the Modesto Learning Center at 541-1531 for more information.
We would like to thank NASCO in Modesto for providing our PMCT in November.
We learned how to do Japanese Fish printing!! Be inspired to use your imagination and create wonderful projects this semester! Many art catalogs are available at the MLC!
If you are searching for airbrushing kits, bead crafts, brushes, calligraphy sets, canvas painting, decorative crafts, fabric decorating, glazes, jewelry making, modeling materials, mosaic tile crafts, office supplies, paints, pastels, scissors, screen printing, sculpture, stained glass, or woodcrafts, you will love to browse through the art supply catalogs that we have available. Remember to place any orders with your ES.
Our New Hours
Monday 9:00-2:00
Tuesday: 11:00-4:30
Wednesday 9:00-2:00
Thursday 11:00-4:30
Friday: 9:00-5:00
Dolphin
Discovery at Six Flags Marine World
By a Former Student
When I heard that I was going to be able to go see the
dolphins I was really excited. It was even more exciting when we got to Six
Flags Marine World and actually saw the fun and intelligent creatures. Just
being able to learn about them is pretty amazing, but the best part is when
instructed by the trainers I got to play with and touch the dolphins. It was an awesome experience that I will
never forget!
Marine
World Animal Interaction Programs-science
You may not realize
that instructional funds may be used for this wonderful science opportunity for
Connecting Waters Charter School students! I attended this last Spring
with some of our students. I personally paid for the observation fee for
myself but it was worth it. I was able to see my son and some of our
other students have the experience of a lifetime! The participants
receive a free 5" X 7" photo of the experience and admission to the
park. There is also opportunity to pay out of pocket for more photos and
a 30 minute video of the event. There is a minimum age requirement
for Dolphin Discovery and for Sea Lion Celebration.
To find out more about this exciting opportunity go
to:
http://www.sixflags.com/parks/marineworld/ParkPress/sealioncelebration.asp
Sam and Pearl
by Jessica H., 2nd
grade
There was a lamb named Sam
who had a friend who was a clam.
He said, “Would you like some toast
with jam, and ham?”
“Yes”, said Sam.
The clam was a girl.
Her name was Pearl.
Pearl had hair that was curled.
She was the prettiest clam in the world!
They went to McDonalds
and saw Lobster Ronald.
He was funny!
And so was his bunny!
He had some sweet honey.
Pearl went back home and
brushed her hair with a comb.
Sam went to his home
but called on the phone
alone.
Pearl played with her clay,
then went to a farm
with piles of hay.
The horses went “Neigh!”.
They were very loud.
Pearl played with a cat
who said, “Meow”.
Then it was time to go
home and go to bed.
That little sleepy-head.
The End