Breakfast with
the Director of CWCS and Staff
Invitation for Senior Students to have
Breakfast
Here is a chance to get to know the
director, other staff, and other senior students in your area and have
breakfast!
It will be held approximately once a month
in different areas (depending on the interest) at the local I-Hop Restaurant.
The Director will pay for each student’s
meal.
Parents are welcome to attend at their
own expense.
Date:
Location: I-Hop,
Space is limited, so please register by
calling the
Building Character at CWCS!
Nearly 50 students and parents were in attendance at
the first ‘Character Building Assembly’ on Monday, October 18th at
the Ceres/Modesto Learning Center. The
assembly was awesome! We owe the success
of this and future assemblies to the hard work and dedication of Carla Shryock,
Lynda Jost, Alexandria Nelson, Ingrid and Olga Kiehl. Miss. Alex and Miss. Ingrid are part of our
student leadership team and are responsible for teaching the catchy poems and
songs each month to those in attendance.
They were each precise and animated which kept the attention and gained
the participation of their audience. Miss Carla, Miss Lynda and Miss Olga are
the parent volunteers who are dedicated to the concept of character development
for their own children so much that they are willing to invest their time and
talents to the success of our assemblies. Miss Carla will be responsible for
the monthly story that will demonstrate the character trait through animals in
nature. Miss Lynda has provided the
motivation to start the character building assemblies. She is responsible for the cool gifts from
the treasure chest that each student will be able to choose from if they can
recite their ‘I will’s’ each month. Everyone who attends will enjoy great
snacks after the assembly! Upon leaving each child also takes home a coloring
page that reinforces what they learned at the assembly.
The character trait discussed at the assembly in
October was attentiveness. The
definition is ‘showing the worth of a person by giving full concentration to
his or her words’. Isn’t that right on,
don’t we all want our children to be attentive?
Attentiveness is the foundation of what we will be learning throughout
the year. There are five ‘I will’s’ that
the students will need to recite from memory at our November assembly. Here are just a few of them, ‘I will look at
people when they speak to me. I will keep my eyes, ears, hands, feet, and mouth
from distractions.’
I wish that I had used a character curriculum when my
children were in grades k-8. They would
have benefited greatly. It is wise to teach children these traits when they are
young and still moldable. All students
grade k-8 are welcome to attend these assemblies. We are looking for more students who would be
willing to join the leadership team. If
your student is in high school or a mature junior high student he/she may apply
to be part of the Character Building Leadership team by submitting an
application to the CWCS Waterford office,
This month we will be meeting on Monday, November 15
at the Ceres/Modesto Learning Center from
When: Every 3rd
Monday
Monday, November
15th
Where: Ceres/Modesto
Learning Center
541-1531
Time:
Who: Parents and Students
Grades k-8
What: An exciting action
packed hour that will bring to life the character qualities that you’ve taught
throughout the month! The assemblies
will include:
v
Student Skits Presented by Our Student Character Coaches
v
Story
v
Songs
v
Memory recitation
v
Trading cards
v
Prizes from the treasure chest
v
Snacks
Throughout the year
your student will be learning about:
attentiveness, obedience, truthfulness, gratefulness, generosity,
orderliness, forgiveness, sincerity, and virtue
Testing Isn’t a Bad
Word!
by
Lynda Jost
I know just mentioning “testing” or “Edusoft” is grounds for many to disregard this article or ignore what follows – nothing personal Edusoft – it’s just many parents don’t like testing! After 16 years of homeschooling I have finally come to terms with it. And actually, with the help of the Edusoft program, have even come to appreciate what it can do for me. Let me explain.
We began homeschooling in 1989 when it was NOT the “in” thing to do. The opposition from well meaning friends and family was enormous. The offers to get our children into “the best schools” and even to pay for “private school” were often tempting and at some points accepted for a time for various reasons. But we have experienced the gamut of schooling and how it can be done. And we have heard myriad reasons in favor and against homeschooling. However I can’t think of any one topic I’ve heard more discussion about along the way than the debate over testing.
Mostly, in the beginning there was fear – fear of the State trying to run our lives, fear of our students not measuring up, fear of being criticized for not teaching to the standards, and fear of every other imaginable or unimaginable situation. I must admit – initially I was skeptical of having my students take tests – but in retrospect I think for me it was just another avenue for rebellion to rear its ugly head. Another way for me to “question authority” if you know what I mean. But I couldn’t come up with a better way to establish if my students were retaining any of what I was teaching them and how well they were progressing. So I would write my own “evaluations” and was careful to never refer to them as tests.
Here I am all these years later and I’ve come to appreciate the work other people have done that I can use and not have to duplicate or create on my own, “like tests”.
When I read in the August Newsletter that our school was implementing “A Systematic Testing Plan” I honestly wasn’t too concerned about how it would benefit the school (sorry – guess I better not ever plan on running for school board.) I honestly was just concerned with how it would affect my 2nd grader – or should I be really honest and say I was interested in how she would benefit from it? Thinking the 8 week assessment schedule was not overly taxing I wrote it in our monthly lesson plans and scheduled time for testing.
When September 20th came I handed my daughter the 1st benchmark exam for Math. She was initially nervous having never seen a test like this. We discovered together there were questions on it that she had not covered in her math lessons. I gave her a brief 30 second lesson on > and < knowing whether or not she got the answers correct was not going to matter at all. This wasn’t about passing a test. This was ALL about her knowing HOW to take a test. Once she knew this she was able to relax, answer the questions and learn a few things along the way – who can object to that?
I know there are other ways of monitoring how my student is advancing. I know many will offer suggestions for how to gauge what my student is retaining. But after all these years what I’ve discovered works for me is found in benchmark assessments. They are for me exactly what they claim to be – assessments that give me an idea of how I’m doing and another avenue for preparing my student for the future.
No I don’t work for Edusoft – and actually I don’t even work for the school. I work for my daughter as her primary teacher. Edusoft just happens to make a part of my job a little easier. I no longer have to write my own “evaluations”. I utilize what is already there and if the school benefits from it, well then that makes 3 of us.
TSRH Videos in
Conjunction with Edusoft
By Melinda Cox
It is yet
another school year, and now with so many options for curriculum, so many tools
for test preparation, and our accreditation process, overwhelmed is a word that
comes very quickly to mind. But, as a
parent of a student with dyslexia, I feel compelled to share with you something
that works. I have already written an
article highlighting the positive affects of using the
Using the
(Ages 9 to adult), that will improved reading ability in struggling readers.
Again, using Edusoft for both of my children, I was able to prepare them for the standardized test. When I say prepare for the test, there are several rationales for this laborious process. One was to relieve some of the test anxiety that is always so customary with these tests, and two was to recognize where their strengths and weaknesses were. I did not look at the latter as a report card for my teaching abilities, just a key to improvement that is sometimes so difficult to identify. This year, we have an additional tool in the Benchmark tests. On a positive note, the Benchmarks will allow students to prepare for the test gradually, and again streamline the learning process so that the California State Standards do not seem so overwhelming.
I can not say enough to encourage you to try Edusoft and the Texas Scottish Rites Hospital Videos for your students. They work. How do I know, you ask? Well, in my last attempt to persuade you, I will disclose my child’s greatest triumph to date. Her standardized test scores in 2nd grade (she was in a regular public school program with 20 other students) were low in reading, language and spelling. She was below the 50th percentile. When I accessed her test scores on Edusoft in August, for 3rd grade, (she was at home with Connecting Waters last year), she scored above the 80th percentile in reading and language, and above the 50th percentile in spelling. What an amazing improvement! So, the results speak for themselves.
GUIDANCE DEPARTMENT INFORMATION
Greetings from the Guidance Department! We are here to help you determine your future
academic and career goals. Contact
information:
Mary Halter
1-800-458-7050 ext.2
Becky Cote
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
- If you have any more suggestions on added texts for the a-g courses please make sure that you send them in by the middle of November as we will be making our a-g submissions before the end of the calendar year.
- Also, don’t forget to check out our Guidance Web Page to help answer some of your guidance questions. If you have any specific questions, don’t hesitate to check with your ES or our department.
“UC/CSU Workshop and Application Workshop”
Tuesday November 2 – Ceres/Modesto Learning Center
We will briefly
cover each campus in the CSU and UC system. At
College Night
Thursday November 4 –
FINANCIAL AID AND SCHOLARSHIP INFORMATION
1.
2.
3.
SOCIETY OF
AUTOMOTIVE ENGINEERS SCHOLARSHIP COMPETITION -- There are two types of scholarships available. The undesignated scholarships can be used at
any accredited university engineering program and the designated scholarships
used at specific participating universities and colleges. Minimum GPA, rank, and ACT or SAT test score. Due to the sponsor
4.
WESTERN UNDERGRADUATE EXCHANGE SCHOLARSHIP -- Are you interested in attending a college or
university out of state? This program
makes it possible for
Don’t
Get Scammed
Look for the
following signs to determine whether a scholarship is a scam:
“This scholarship is guaranteed or your money back.”
“You can’t get this information anywhere else.”
“May I have your credit card or bank account number to hold this
scholarship?”
“We’ll do all the work.”
“The scholarship may cost some money.”
You have never entered this particular contest and “You’ve been selected
by a ‘national foundation’
to receive a scholarship,” or “You’re a finalist.”
High School Seniors –
Class of 2005
NOVEMBER
November
30 is the application deadline for CSU and UC.
COLLEGE &
UNIVERSITY COMMON APPLICATION – Apply to many colleges (mostly private
colleges) and universities with one common application. Check the college’s website that you are
applying to for deadlines. Apply on-line at www.commonapp.org
.
Pick up the FAFSA and GPA Verification Form, if you’re applying for a Cal
Grant.
**Remember, do not file the FAFSA before January 1.**
College
Entrance Exam Test Dates and Deadlines – Class of 2005
|
Test |
Test Date |
Registration |
Late Registration |
|
SAT I & II |
Dec 4 |
Oct 29 |
Nov 10 |
|
ACT |
Dec 11 |
Nov 5 |
Nov 6-18 |
To Register:
SAT – www.collegeboard.com
ACT – www.actstudent.org
SCHOOL CODE – 053706
The CLASS of 2006 and beyond …will need to take the
new SAT and/or the new ACT with writing for college admissions.
Spring 2005 – Take the new SAT and/or the ACT (with optional writing portion).
Register – SAT - www.collegeboard.com , ACT - www.actstudent.org
School Code
053706
College Entrance Exam Test
Dates and Deadlines – Class of 06 and beyond
|
Test |
Test Date |
Registration |
Late Registration |
|
ACT |
|
|
|
|
SAT I |
|
|
|
|
ACT |
|
March 4 |
March 18 |
|
SAT I & II |
|
March 25 |
Apr. 6 |
|
SAT I & II |
|
April 29 |
May 11 |
|
ACT |
|
|
May 20 |
WHY IS THE SAT CHANGING? The SAT assesses student reasoning based
on knowledge and skills developed by the student in school coursework. The new
SAT will improve the alignment of the test with current curriculum and institutional
practices in high school and college. By including a third measure of skills --
writing, the new SAT will help colleges make better admissions and placement
decisions. In that way, the new SAT will reinforce the importance of writing
throughout a student's education.
The Ceres/Modesto
Learning
Drawing Success for Every Student
Drawing is …
… an extraordinary window into your student’s imagination
… a crucial communication skill
… a powerful self esteem launcher
… a conduit for creative enthusiasm
… the perfect alternative to commercial television
… the foundation for art
… an important slice in the curricular pie
… the perfect learning tool to teach every subject and it does it in a fun and enriching manner
…so completely open ended that your students will surpass your expectations tenfold
… wonderful therapy
… incredibly fun!
Drawing …
… balances society’s left-brain biased thinking systems
… develops patience and concentration and teaches students to follow directions
… builds fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination
… nourishes creative problem-solving skills
… promotes creative risk taking
… dissolves the “I can’t” syndrome, cultivating visual thinking and visual goal setting skills
… nurtures critical thinking
… ability means visual literacy!
( List taken from
Mark Kistler’s book, “Draw Squad.”)
The Ceres/Modesto Learning Center recognizes that drawing is one of the most important skills that you can help develop in your children. We are currently offering several drawing and art classes at the center, and will offer more in the Spring semester. Please contact your ES for more information about class times and how to sign up!
November Hours
The Ceres/Modesto Learning Center will be open:
Monday 9-2:30
Tuesday 9-4
Wednesday 9-3:30
Thursday 9-4
Friday
*Note: We will be closed November 24, 25, and 26th for the Thanksgiving Holiday.
November Events at the
Ceres/Modesto Learning Center
Computer Lab
We now have a wonderful computer lab set up for students to
come in and take advantage of the high speed internet access. Students are now
able to do research online, write papers, create projects, take Edusoft tests,
and use the Accelerated Reader program.
Cathy Moretto, Site Program
Coordinator
Shelley Benedetti and Heidi Bowman, Site Clerks
209-239-7306
955 W. Center, #9
Open Hours
Monday 9-3:00
Tuesday 9-3:00
Wednesday 9-1:30
Thursday 9-3:00
Friday 9-2:00
Manteca Learning Center Revised 9/20/04
Fall ‘04 Classes
Course Name Grades Dates Time Instructor Cost
MONDAYS
Algebra 1A Grades 8-12 9/13-12/20 9:30-11:30 J.Kaiser $170
TUESDAYS
HS Writing Grades 7-11 9/7-12/21 11-12:00 T. Matranga $144
Mother & Baby Whale 4-12 9/7-12/21 11-1:00 Timeless Treasures $220 PO
(Oil) Call Michelle Dunwoody for availability 572-4425
Landscape (Painting) 4-12 9/7-12/21 1-2:00 Timeless Treasures $160 PO
(Oil) Call Michelle Dunwoody for availability 572-4425
WEDNESDAYS
Math 1-3 Grades 1-3 10/27-12/15 9-10:00 J. Sandberg $45
Hands On Science Grades 1-3 10/27-12/15 10-11:00 J. Sandberg $45
Intro To Illustration Grades 2-4 9/8-12/15 9-10:00 P. Maness $98
THURSDAYS
Intermediate Illustration Grades 5-8 9/9-12/16 9-10:00 P. Maness $98
Intro To Spanish Grades 3-7 9/9-12/16 12:30-1:30 R. Gomez $85
Spanish 1- Standards Grades 8-12 9/9-12/16 2-3:00 R. Gomez $85
Arts & Crafts Grades 3-6 9/9-12/16 12:30-1:30 S. Bloudoff $105
Arts & Crafts Grades K-2 9/9-12/16 1:30-2:30 S. Bloudoff $105
Drama Grades 1-6 9/9-12/16 10-11:00 A. Whitlock $85
Note: Drama Classes held at Calvary Church on Lathrop Rd. in Manteca
Drama Grades 7-12 9/9-12/16 11-12:00 A. Whitlock $85
Note: Drama Classes held at Calvary Church on Lathrop Rd. in Manteca
Also Available Offsite
*Art of Dance, 833 Mellon Ave., Manteca, 823-9989. $38
month. Parent pays yearly $20 reg. fee. Tap, Ballet, Jazz, Hiphop, Self-defense.
*Math tutoring at
*Science Camp (Outdoor Education) Grade 6 Approx. $225. Details to Follow
*Ice skating- Oak Park Ice Rink,
*Karate- Mitoses,
Also at Mitoses: Little Dragons, 4-6 year olds, Wed.
*Cindy's
*Esteem Dance- In Ripon. Ballet & Jazz. Call for
prices & details. 599-2046
*Gymstars- Gymnastics, Cheerleading, Karate, & Hip Hop Dance,
*Janis Music- Music lessons. 138 W. Yosemite,
*Valley Tae Kwon Do, 150 Northgate Drive, PO (Call for prices) Dave Tomasulo,
825-8825 Olympic Training Facility
Christmas Around
The World
Tuesday, December 21
6:30 - 8:00 pm
Waterford High School Auditorium
This musical production will be presented by students in our Drama, Dance, and
Sign Language Classes, as well as other talented students in CWCS. The
evening begins with samplings of different cultural dishes to taste and crafts
to make from around the world.
The children gather for a Christmas Party as the production begins with
"It's
Almost Christmas Time". As the show progresses, each drama student,
dressed
in native costume, shares with the others how winter holidays are celebrated
in his or her country.
The Dance students join in the fun by performing dances to songs such
as "Joyeux Noel" from
to express themselves with a
Cuban-style. Other invited party guests will show off their own styles and
talents.
People all around the world celebrate in different ways at this time of year,
and all the children rejoice together as the production ends in "Joy To The
World"!
Everyone is invited!
Volunteers are needed to make cultural samplers and prepare native crafts for
the children to make. If this interests you, please contact Julie Hilbert at
ShananSchool@hotmail.com. Thank
you!
Tickets are available at the
or the Waterford Office. We do not charge for tickets, but we do require them
so we know how many may be in attendance.
We will need to prepare for the
correct
number of people!!
Hope to see you there!
REQUIREMENT
FOR 1ST GRADERS
Child Health and Disability Prevention Program (CHDP)
is a preventative health program serving
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
Parent
In-Service Training
You NEED to go to
this!! You have been asking us for it! It will be
here on
February 24th!!!
Mark your
calendars now for this special day!!
Performance Learning Systems
Teaching Through Learning
Channels™
Learn how to use brain-compatible, multisensory teaching strategies to
address students’ natural learning preferences. Experience a variety of
teaching methods that incorporate all sensory, perceptual, and organizational
styles.
Student Workshops will
include…
Character First - Doug Myers and friends
will be there to do a mini Character Assembly for us which
includes an animal story and a great activity from the binder!!
NASCO
- Ronda Rigney from NASCO will be there to do arts and crafts projects with
us!!
And
more!!!!!!!!!!!!
Contact
your ES for more information & to sign up!
Or call
Parent Support at 1-800-762-1888 for further information!
Can
Help
provide for families in need!
Please bring
non-perishable food items to the
November 2nd – November 15th
Thank you
for your support!