Connecting Waters Charter School

~February 2004~

What is the WASC Accreditation Process?

Background:

· The Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) is one of six regional associations that accredit public and private schools, colleges, and universities in the United States.

· In March of 2003, Connecting Waters Charter School underwent the initial visitation by WASC. During this visit, the WASC team made four recommendations for school improvement and approved our school’s application for candidacy status.

· As a candidate for WASC accreditation, Connecting Waters Charter School was given until June of 2006 to prepare for a visit where a WASC visitation team will review our school as a whole.

· During this visit, the committee will review the school’s “self-study”. They will assess our school based on the WASC criteria. They will recommend a term of accreditation to the Accrediting commission.

· This self-study has already begun and will finalize in the spring of 2005 when the visiting committee arrives to review our school.

What is the WASC Focus on Learning (FOL) accreditation process:

In simple terms, this process asks the whole school:

· Who are you? Who do you say you are (i.e. what is your mission, your vision of yourself)?

· How are you doing? Are you accomplishing what you set out to do?

· After seeing how well you are doing, how will you change to better accomplish your mission?

What this means for Connecting Waters Charter School:

Becoming a fully accredited school benefits our school in many ways:

• This accreditation demonstrates that our school has met (or exceeded) the expectations set forth by WASC and CDE.
• It also ensures that all other universities and high schools will more readily accept our students’ academic credits.
• Most importantly, this accreditation sets our school up to continue the self-study process on an ongoing basis. .

We can see the accreditation process as a very positive thing for our school. It is not so much that we are being judged by an outside agency, but more like we have a consulting service helping us to really see ourselves and to improve our school and its service to the students. Let’s get the most out of this process. It will help us to know that we are doing the very best that we can!

Certificated and classified employees, parents and students may be called upon to serve on one of our school groups,  gather or give data, or help in other ways. Thank you for your willingness to serve. Whatever you do in this effort helps us all.

Gary Clark, Self Study Coordinator Sherri Nelson, CWCS Director

Parent Monthly Curriculum Training

On Thursday, February 26th there will be an Edusoft Training in Waterford at Moon School from 3:00 to 5:00 PM.  Please note the day and time change from our regular PMCT meetings.  Sherri Nelson will be our host this month and Chris Linder will be presenting for us. This will be a great training on how to use this wonderful new tool!  Please call Loie at the Waterford Office to reserve your spot.

Connecting Waters Charter School Waterford Office phone number - (209) 874-9463

Directions to Moon School in Waterford

Moon School

319 N. Reinway Ave.

Waterford, CA 95386

From Manteca: Take South 99 to the Briggsmore exit in Modesto. From the exit turn left onto Briggsmore. Take Briggsmore to Claus appox. 6 ½ miles. Turn right onto Claus. Take Claus to Yosemite appox. 2 miles. Turn left onto Yosemite. Take Yosemite to Reinway Ave. in Waterford approx. 8 ½ miles. Turn left onto Reinway. Moon School is on the left.

From Turlock: Take Geer Road north toYosemite Ave. Turn right onto Yosemite. Take Yosemite to Reinway Ave. in Waterford approx. 4 miles. Turn left onto Reinway. Moon School is on the left. Approx. 25 minutes from downtown Turlock.

From Modesto: Take Briggsmore Ave. east to Claus. Turn right onto Claus. Take Claus to Yosemite appox. 2 miles. Turn left onto Yosemite. Take Yosemite to Reinway Ave. in Waterford approx. 8 ½ miles. Turn left onto Reinway. Moon School is on the left

From Merced: Take North 99 to the Shanks / Delhi Exit. Turn right onto Shanks. Take Shanks to Vincent. Turn left on Vincent. Take Vincent to East Ave. Turn right on East Ave. Take East Ave. to Hickman Road. Turn left on Hickman Road. Take Hickman Road to Yosemite Ave. in Waterford. Turn left on Yosemite Ave. Take Yosemite Ave. to Reinway Ave. Turn right on Reinway Ave. Moon School is on the left Approx. 1hr from Merced.

CAHSEE NEWS

The 10th grade students will be taking the CAHSEE on Feb. 3rd and 4th.

Each student will need to show a form of picture identification at the test site. Following is the
process for acquiring a student identification card:

In order to obtain a student ID card email Marsha Silva at msilva@ieminc.org or call

her at 1-209-993-8285 or 1-800-762-1888.  She will need a one inch picture.  If you do

not have one she will be able to adjust a larger size to fit, let her know this when you call.

You may email the photo, take the photo to the Manteca Learning Center at 955 W. Center

Suite 9 in Manteca or mail it there for processing.

CWCS Manteca Learning Center

955 W. Center , Suite 9

Manteca, CA 95337

STAR NEWS

Students will need to be signed up for a test site for the
upcoming STAR testing. The ES will be responsible for signing up their
students by Feb 15.

Parent volunteers are greatly appreciated and welcomed during STAR testing.
Please contact Leita Barlow at lbarlow@ieminc.org (or 800-979-4436) with
your offer of assistance. The goal is to provide a safe, positive, testing
environment and meet our 95% participation rate mandated by the State of
California.

Available on the Connecting Waters website, under the Assessment button,
will be printable documents called "In a Nutshell" .These documents contain
the basic information for each of the various assessments. This resource
should prove helpful to ES's that have families without access to the
internet as well as the general public.

Connecting Waters Charter School

High School Guidance Office

Career/Vocation/Job

Apprenticeships USA

A source of information regarding Apprenticeship Opportunities in The Building Trades. Join the thousands of young men and women who are earning excellent wages and benefits as they learn a skilled trade.

Career Choice

Students are overwhelmed with where to search when trying to choose a career. This site helps explore different occupations using your personal traits and preferences. There are numerous occupations listed to explore as choices.

Job Web

Job Web helps students seek employment in different geographical settings listing different employment opportunities. This site helps give a visual picture of where different opportunities are located.

Career links Career Choice Careers in the Construction Industry Career Magazine Career Options by Academic Major Careers in Medicine Careers in Oceanography Careers in Science and Engineering Colleges, Trade and Vocational Schools Military Careers Nursing Careers Occupational Information Peace Corps Quintessential Career and Job Hunting The Riley Guide Undergraduate Majors & Interest Women in Computer Science Junior Achievement

Vocation links Americorps Careers in the Construction Industry Colleges,Trade and Vocational Schools Occupational Information Peace Corps Junior Achievement

Job links Americorps America's Job Bank Bureau of Labor Statistics Career Choice Careers in the Construction Industry Colleges, Trade and Vocational Schools Go For It! Job Web Job Smart Junior Achievement My Future Occupational Information Peace Corps Quintessential Career and Job Hunting The Riley Guide Resume Magic

SPRING 2004 COLLEGE FAIRS

The WACAC and the NACAC are offering College Fairs to students this spring. Listed below you will find the college fair schedule along with a web site address you may visit for specific information. The College Fairs are offered to all students at no charge.

Please visit the WACAC website, www.wacac.org, for more detailed information. The site offers dates, times and directions for your convenience.

WACAC College Fairs

EAST BAY – OAKLAND Cal State Hayward Saturday, May 1, 1-3pm MARIN COUNTY Dominican University Monday, May 3, 6-8pm NORTH BAY – SONOMA Sonoma State University Wednesday, May 5, 9-11:30am. 6-8pm

SANTA CLARA COUNTY – SAN JOSE Mission College Thursday, May 6, 10a-12:30p, 5:30-8pm EAST BAY St. Mary’s College Saturday, May 8, 1-4:30pm CENTRAL VALLEY UC Davis Monday, May 10 9a-12pm & 5-8pm

NACAC College Fair

The National College Fair is being held at the Bill Gram Civic Auditorium in San Francisco

This year on May 4th from 3-7pm.

The following are some of the attending Organizations this year. Please visit the NACAC

website, www.nacac.com, for more detailed information. The site offers dates, times and

directions for your convenience.

The University of British Columbia * University of Victoria * Alaska Pacific University

Air Force ROTC and Air force Academy * Arizona State University

University of Advancing Technology * Academy of Art College * Cal State Hayward

California Maritime Academy * California State University, Stanislaus

Humboldt State University

Vocational/Technical Education Web Sites

(THE BEST WEB SITES FOR TEACHERS, FOURTH EDITION)

Wired Learning: Web-Based Lessons, Activities, & More, provided by Pacific Bell, features activities, projects, resources, and tools to infuse technology in the K-12 classroom.

http://www.kn.pacbell.com/wired/wired.html

America’s Job Bank links 1,800 state employment offices across the country and lists 250,000 jobs.

http://www.ajb.dni.us

Community Learning Network, is intended to help the K-12 teacher integrate the Internet into the classroom in all curriculum areas. Teachers and students can “Ask the Expert” specific questions and receive replies, get background information and teaching tips, and find links to Internet keypal exchanges and Internet projects.

http://www.cln.org/index.html

The National Centers for Career and Technical Education offers a variety of information about available jobs. It also includes an FAQ section related to career and technical education.

http://www.nccte.com/

Job Options features a job and employer search engine as well as facilities for creating and posting resumes online. The site makers also permit a student to sign up, and they’ll search a jobs database and email any new openings that match the student’s interests.

http://www.spherion.com/corporate/careercenter/home.jsp

Also, be sure to check the article from the Guidance Office this month for some great links!!

Manteca Learning Center News
Cathy Moretto, Site Program Coordinator
Kim Davis & Kathrin Gardea, Site Clerks
Closed Mondays
Tuesday- Thursday 9-4
Friday 10-3:30
209-239-7306

SUPPORT- Now that instructional funds have been credited to your ESs for the second semester, please consider assigning some of the funding to support your local site. The two sites, in Ceres and Manteca, are completely paid for through the designation of funds from instructional funding. We are asking for full support of $55 for Elementary and $72.50 for High School students for second semester. If you find that there is a surplus, that can be designated for the site also under generous support. Ask your ES about how to help us keep the lights on. If you have already filled out a site support agreement for the year, thank you very much.

EDUSOFT- If you have not taken advantage of the wonderful testing practice offered through our Edusoft Program, please contact your ES for more information. Introducing practice tests to your child will prove invaluable when STAR testing comes in March. We have a scanner available at the site for you to scan in your student's answers and create testing record folders. Contact your ES for more information.

CLASSES- It’s not too late to get in on some great classes this semester. We have two new Spanish classes starting in February. Ask your ES to sign you up.

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.

Manteca Learning Center
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 1/20-5/18 9-11:00 Timeless Treasures $220 PO
Call Michelle Dunwoody for availability 572-4425

Seascape (Painting) 4-12 1/20-5/18 11-1:00 Timeless Treasures $220 PO
Call Michelle Dunwoody for availability 572-4425

Floral (Painting) 4-12 1/20-5/18 1-2:00 Timeless Treasures $160 PO
Call Michelle Dunwoody for availability 572-4425

Landscape (Painting) 4-12 1/20-5/18 2-3:00 Timeless Treasures $160 PO
Call Michelle Dunwoody for availability 572-4425

WEDNESDAYS
Math 1-3 1-3 1/7-3/3 10-11:00 J. Sandberg $45

Intro To Illustration 2-4 1/14-5/18 9-10:00 P. Maness $125

WEDNESDAY/THURSDAYS
Computer-Aided Illustration 9-12 1/14-5/19 10-11:00 P. Maness $200

THURSDAYS
Intermediate Illustration 5-8 1/15-5/19 9-10:00 P. Maness $125

Intro To Spanish 3-7 2/5-5/20 12:30-1:30 R. Gomez $85

Spanish 1- Standards 8-12 2/5-5/20 2-3:00 R. Gomez $85

FRIDAYS
Math 4-6 4-6 1/7-3/3 10-11:00 J. Sandberg $45

Also Available Offsite
*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. 9-10a.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.

Modesto Learning Center News February 2004

Curriculum Spotlight

Looking to put some spice in your daily science lessons? Our February curriculum recommendations are Spotlight on Science boxes that provide 24 hands-on experiments that will thrill your elementary school students!

Our “Cookin’ Up Science” box features experiments making rock candy, copper coating, coin cleaners, raisin submarines, great goo, a bean green house, hitchhiking seeds, and giant bubbles! With our “Amazing Animals” box, your students can play animal charades, make a scent tracker, weave a spider web, float a fish submarine, and learn to talk to owls! These science boxes come complete with all the materials you’ll need for some serious science fun!

Modesto Learning Center

Spring Classes

Time/Date Class Grades Instructor Cost

Tuesday

9:00 – 10:15 1/20/04 Better Writing (8 wk) 5^th –7^th Wendy Arotca $7 SS

10:30 – 11:30 1/20/04 Better Writing (8 wk) ^3rd – 4^th Wendy Arotca $7 SS

1:00 – 2:00 HS Writing 8^th – 11^th T. Matranga $144

Tuesday & Thursday

11:00 – 12:00 Spanish 1 2^nd – 6^th Bob Monroe $130

12:00 – 1:00 Spanish 1 (2^nd sem.) 7^th- 12^th 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 – 6^th Debbie Siam $60

12:00 – 1:00 Spanish 1 (1^st sem.) 7^th –12^th Bob Monroe $130

12:45 – 1:45 *Arts and Crafts (10 wk) 6^th – 10^th Debbie Siam $60

2:00 – 3:00 *Health and Exercise (10wk) 2^nd – 6^th Debbie Siam $60

Thursday

9:00 - 3:30 Piano K - 12^th Cathy Pierson $225

12:00 – 12:45 Violin K – 12^th Caroline Wallace TBA

Friday

9:30 – 10:15 1/23/04 Learning to Draw K – 6^th Judy Gray $110

10:30 – 11:45 1/23/04 Basic Drawing 7^th – 12^th 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 7^th – 12^th John Pelezynski $216

2:30 – 4:30 Algebra 1 Lab 7^th – 12^th John Pelezynski $216

• * Please call the MLC to see if classes are in session this semester.

Tutoring

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.

CAHSEE Testing

The MLC will be closed on February 3^rd and 4^th from the hours of 9-2 for CAHSEE testing. Please make a note that all classes scheduled during those hours will be cancelled so that we can provide an atmosphere conducive to testing. Thank you for your understanding.

EDUSOFT

If you have not taken advantage of the wonderful testing practice offered through our Edusoft Program, please contact your ES for more information. Introducing practice tests to your child will prove invaluable when STAR testing comes in March. We have a scanner available at the site for you to scan in your students answers and create testing record folders. Contact your ES or call the MLC for more information.

Our New Hours

Monday 9:00-2:00

Tuesday: 11:00-4:30

Wednesday 9:00-2:00

Thursday 11:00-4:30

Friday: 9:00-4:30

Student Achievement Stories

In his 2nd year of 4H my son (Klaus Erian-age 14) entered his bug collection into the Alameda county fair.  He won:  Special Award, Judge's Favorite, Best of Class and First Place.  This has now grown into a desire to double major as an arachnologist and herpetologist when he goes to college.  If it were not for the opportunities afforded him by the charter, he would never have been able to participate as a volunteer at Sulphur Creek where he has over 1000 hours of community service; which is quite an achievement in itself. It is also where he has found a mentor in the field of science that he wants to study and where he met the group leader of 4H entomology, which he joined. This was how he found out about entering in the fair.

Diana Erian

Thank you,

Mrs. Diana Erian

The main reason we are home-schooling my son Josh Oie, 15 yrs old, is that he is VERY involved in BMX racing.  He has traveled in several states across the U.S. to race at a national level.  His most recent and BIGGEST achievement is that he earned the most prestigious & title in the BMX community being the National #1 Amateur at the Grand Nationals in Tulsa, OK.

Below are links which talk a little more about it.  If you would like to hear more about it and so you could possibly include in your publication, please let us know.

http://www.bmxonline.com/bmx/features/article/0,15737,554421,00.html

http://www.bmxonline.com/bmx/features/article/0,15737,555993,00.html

His own website, which he maintains himself, is www.joshoie.com if you would like to see more.

Thank you for the opportunity.

Mrs. Dodi Custodia-Oie

A Haiku Poem

by Michael DaVolt

There is a place

that is beautiful

when you cross

a bridge and stop

you see clouds

and purple mountains

with snow on top

and you can hear

splashing fish and

pretty trees it makes

you want to think

“oh, what a beautiful

place to be”

Up Coming Events:

February

3-4 CAHSEE (10^th Grade Only)

5 Valentine Cookie Making Class 7^th-12^th Grades (Ceres/Modesto Learning Center)

9 Valentine Party K-6^th grades

(Ceres/Modesto Learning Center)

10 8^th Grade Graduation Planning Meeting (Ceres/Modesto Learning Center)

12 Senior Graduation Speeches Due

13&16 President’s Day (No School)

17 Senior Graduation Planning Meeting (Ceres/Modesto Learning Center)

26 PMCT - Parent Edusoft Training 3:00 to 5:00 PM (Moon School, Waterford)

March

1 Senior Graduation Announcements Order Due

8 Monterey Bay Aquarium

9 Parent Council Meeting

16-17 STAR Writing Test

23-25 STAR & PE Testing