Greetings from CER!

Harvard University released a new report today - and it's loaded with good news for the nation's charter schools.  In the most comprehensive study of charters to date, Harvard finds that the longer that charter schools are serving kids, the better those kids perform.  In fact, charter school students are outscoring their peers in conventional public schools by as much as 10 percent!  And no surprise to CER, Harvard's study also reveals that strong charter school laws translate into high-performing charter schools.

This is an important piece of research to share with your parents and your communities!

I have pasted a copy of Harvard University's press release below.  If you need additional information or would like assistance in getting the good news out in your community, please contact Lesley Heilman at

(202) 822-9000 or lesley@edreform.com.

Outdoor Science School- Sign Up Now!

We have the week of April 25-29 reserved at Mount Hermon in the mountains above Santa Cruz. The cost is about $200 and can come from instructional funding. We will be at Redwood Camp, located in the middle of the forest. It is used for their children's camps in summer. It has a heated swimming pool, tennis courts, volleyball, a recreation field, ping pong tables, and rock climbing trees. It has 20 cabins with bunk beds, wall heaters, closet space for 8. Bathrooms and showers are located a short distance away and there are separate boy's and girl's bathroom areas. There will be 1 counselor for each cabin (5-7 students). Counselors can be high school juniors or seniors, or adults. One teacher from our school will also be there to help supervise, give out medication, and make sure everyone has a good week. Each parent is responsible for getting their student(s) there and back, but we could also have parents arrange carpools if needed. All participants need to arrive at 9:30-10:30am on Monday morning and be picked up by 10:30am on Friday. We will be there with 5th graders from John Steinbeck Elementary School in Salinas. You may send your 5th (or 6th) graders.
To sign up for this, please have your ES sign you up in webfiles (GEA #9429) and then e-mail me the following information:
Parent Name
Student Name(s) and Grade(s)
Home Phone Number
ES Name
Through your ES, I will send you an enrollment packet with information and directions.
Cathy Moretto, cmoretto@ieminc.org

Character Building Assemblies

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:

Throughout the year your student will be learning about:  attentiveness, obedience, truthfulness, gratefulness, generosity, orderliness, forgiveness, sincerity, and virtue

If your family is looking forward to joining us this month, you might want to have your children learn these texts so they can recite them at the center for a prize from the treasure chest.

These are the I wills for Gratefulness:

Manteca Learning Center News

Remember that site agreements for second semester are due if you have not already paid for the full year. Grades K-8: $55 per semester, Grades 9-12: $72.50. Full support entitles you to unlimited use of the site resources and free checkout of materials. Ask your ES about this. Per use is $5 per visit and must be set aside in advance of visiting the site.

Scholastic Book Orders Heidi is continuing to assist families who want to use their own funds to order books from Scholastic Book Club. Flyers are available at the Manteca Learning Center. Books are available at all grade levels. Payment is due at the time orders are placed. This is a great way to build your personal library at a great price. Free books earned through book sales will go to the Learning Center Library for everyone to enjoy.

Manteca Learning Center 1/18/05 Tentative Spring ‘05 Classes

Course Name Grades Dates Time Instructor Cost
MONDAYS
Algebra 1A Grades 8-12 1/10-5/16 9:30-11:30 J. Kaiser $185
Computer Skills Grades 5-12 1/10-5/16 9:30-10:30 S. Benedetti $82
Computer Skills Grades 5-12 1/10-5/16 10:45-11:45 S. Benedetti $82

TUESDAYS
HS Writing Grades 7-11 1/11-5/17 11-12:00 T. Matranga $165
Elementary Choir Grades 5-8 2/1-5/17 10-11:00 J. Hepworth $77
High School Choir Grades 9-12 2/1-5/17 11-12:00 J. Hepworth  $65

WEDNESDAYS
Hands On Science Grades 4-6 1/12-2/23 9-10:00 J. Sandberg $47
Math 4-6 Grades 4-6 1/12-2/23 10-11:00 J. Sandberg $42
Drawing classes have changed times. Call for details.
Intro To Drawing Grades 2-4 1/12-5/18 9-10:00 P. Maness $112
Intermediate Drawing Grades 5-12 1/12-5/18 10-11:00 P. Maness $112

THURSDAYS
Drawing classes have changed times. Call for details.
Intro to Computer-aided Drawing Gr. 8-12 1/13-5/19 9-10:00 P. Maness $112
Inter. Computer-aided Drawing Gr. 8-12 1/13-5/19 10-11:00 P. Maness $112
Intro To Spanish Grades 3-7 1/13-5/19 12:30-1:30 R. Gomez $93
Spanish 1- Standards Grades 8-12 1/13-5/19 2-3:00 R. Gomez $93

Also Available Offsite
*Outdoor Science School- (See related article). April 25-29 at Mount Hermon in the mountains above Santa Cruz. About $200 (can come from student funding.) To sign up for this, please have your ES sign you up in webfiles (GEA #9429) and then e-mail me the following information:
Parent Name
Student Name(s) and Grade(s)
Home Phone Number
ES Name
Through your ES, I will send you an enrollment packet with information and directions.
Cathy Moretto, cmoretto@ieminc.org

*Oil Painting Classes: Call for availability

*Math tutoring at Manteca Learning Center, Jack Kaiser. Call for price and availability.

*Art of Dance, 833 Mellon Ave., Manteca, 823-9989. $38/month. Parent pays yearly $20 reg. fee. Tap, Ballet, Jazz, Hiphop, Self-defense.

Available Offsite continued…

*Star Gymnastics, 417 S. Fourth, Oakdale, $35/month. Call for times & classes. 209-848-4016

*Karate- Mitoses, Downtown Manteca, near Library Park. 311 W. Yosemite Ave. PO $80 Mondays -Thursdays, 6-7:00 pm. (2-4 sessions per week). 823-2662 evenings.
Also at Mitoses: Little Dragons, 4-6 year olds, Wed. 5-6 p.m. & Sat. 9-10 a.m. PO $60

*Cindy's Sewing School, Kids Can Sew- $30 for a pattern package + $40 per month. Cindy Hall, Eleanor Lane, Manteca. Call 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.

*Janis Music- Music lessons. 138 W. Yosemite, Manteca. $100 per month plus $1.50 per PO processing fee. 823-3067

*Valley Tae Kwon Do, 150 Northgate Drive, PO (Call for prices) Dave Tomasulo, 825-8825 Olympic Training Facility

International Self Defense Institute (ISDI), 1140 N. Main Street, Manteca, 825-8640

1 student $80, 2 students $160, 3 or more students $180. Trial week free. Fees refundable if not fully satisfied. www.martialartsites.com/isdi.

Ceres/Modesto Learning Center News Feb 2005

What’s New at the Ceres/Modesto Learning Center?

Our New Clerk

We welcome Bev Harris who will be joining Krystal Anderson as our new site clerk! We are excited to have Bev join us this semester as she is a creative mom with over 12 years of home schooling experience! She has four children and a wealth of ideas! Be sure to introduce yourself when you stop by the center.

Our New Classes

It’s not too late to get involved in a small group learning environment at the learning center. We are pleased to offer some new classes that will begin in Jan/Feb/March at the center. If you are interested in any of the following courses, please have your ES sign you up as soon as possible.

Social Psychology HS Wed. 10:30-11:30 am (Begins 1/19/2005) Course 9408 $65.00

Instructor: Rachel Clegg

This is an interactive study course covering a variety of topics such as: person perception, forming impressions of others, learning about the self, attitudes and attitude changes, social influence, aggression, goals, and more.

Creative Writing HS Wed. 10:30-11:30 am (Begins 1/19/2005) Course 9417 $65.00

Instructor: Rachel Clegg

This course is designed to teach the student to expand their imagination and creativity. Have you every wanted to learn how to make writing a paper easy, fun, and personal? This course will include journaling and writing assignments.

Life Skills 6^th-8^th Grade Mon. 9-10 am (Begins 2/14/05) $84.00 Course 9460 12 wks. $84.00

Life Skills 101 9^th-12^th Grade Mon. 10-11 am (Begins 2/14/05) $84.00 Course 9461

12 wks. $84.00

Instructor: Bev Harris

These classes will focus on how to survive in the kitchen including: meal planning, grocery lists, budgeting food costs, recognizing baking dishes, organizing utensils, and basic cooking skills. The HS class will include basic living skills and how to survive after High School.

Etiquette for All 6^th-12^th Grade Mon. 11-12 (Begins 2/14/05) $84.00 Course 9462

12 wks. $84.00

Instructor: Bev Harris

Your child will learn valuable etiquette skills such as: table setting, kitchen matters, telephone tactics, interviews, dining out, manners for special occasions, and personal correspondence.

Cool Craft Creations K-6^th Grade Mon. 12:30-1:30 pm (Begins 2/14/05) Course 9463

12 wks. $84.00

Instructor: Bev Harris

Do your elementary school students enjoy art projects and special crafts? Cool Craft Creations will give your child the opportunity to explore paints, play do, clay, glue, paper, etc. while they create fun projects to take home each week!

Hands-on Science Exploration K-6th Monday 1:30-2:30 on (Begins 2/14/05) 12 wks. $84.00 Course 9464

Instructor: Bev Harris

Students will get their hands dirty creating gooey science experiments that will leave them with wanting to become scientists!

Better Writing for 1^st -3^rd Graders Wed. 9-10 am (Begins 2/23/05) 6 wks.

Course 9456 $62.00

Better Writing for 4^th-6^th Graders Wed. 10-11 am (Begins 2/23/05) 6 wks. Course 9457

$62.00

Instructor: Julie Ann Kline

These classes are open to new students and those currently enrolled in the Better Writing class. Mrs. Kline will pick up where Mrs. V left off and continue turning students into better writers!

Reader’s Theater with Puppets Wed. 11-12 am (Begins 2/23/05) 6 wks. Course 9374 $62.00

Instructor: Julie Ann Kline

Students have a chance to practice oral reading through short stories and skits that are acted out. They will create puppet characters and role play.

Guitar Lessons Mondays T.B.A.

Please contact Daniel, a new guitar instructor, at 538-7730 for more information on setting up individual lessons at the center on Mondays.

Our Office Hours

M 9-2:30

T 9-4

W 9-2:30

TH 9-4

F 9-4

Assessment Department:

After the CAHSEE(California High School Exit Exams) on Feb. 8th and 9th, our next assessment to plan for is the STAR Writing test for 4th and 7th graders only. It is March 1st with make-ups at some of the test sites on March 2nd.

Please remember to check the Assessment information found on the Connecting Waters website. The CAHSEE info is at http://www.ieminc.org/Assessment/2005/cahseetestsiteinfo.htm while the STAR Writing and STAR Multiple-Choice is at http://www.ieminc.org/Assessment/2005/startestsites.htm.  In order to reach our goal of 95% students tested we will all need to work together and make the testing dates a priority.  Please be sure to communicate any needs that we can work together on resolving.

Thank you very much!

CWCS Assessment Dept.

GUIDANCE DEPARTMENT INFORMATION - February

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

mhalter@connectingwaters.org

Becky Cote

bcote@connectingwaters.org

High School Orientation High School Orientation

Modesto/Ceres Learning Center Manteca Learning Center

2600 Mitchell Rd, ste G 955 W. Center St. ste 9

Wednesday February 16, 2005 Wednesday February 16, 2005

10:30 am – 12 noon 2:00 pm – 3:30 pm

Attention 7^th and 8^th graders!!!! A very important meeting to discuss the importance of high school and the courses you should take. Do you want to attend college? A trade school? How about Junior College? Now’s the time to plan for your future!! A must attend event! Don’t miss out!

To reserve your space and to register for one of the workshops call the Waterford Office at (209) 874-9463 or 1-800-808-9895.

******CLASS OF 2005******

FAFSA

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)

www.fafsa.ed.gov

Go to www.fafsa.ed.gov to apply. To start, you will need to get a PIN (Personal Identification Number) by clicking on the “Register for PIN” button then follow the prompts. The student and one parent must set up a PIN. Then, fill out the FAFSA and submit it. If you use a PIN when filing on-line, you don’t have to sign and mail in a signature page. Deadline March 2, 2005.

GPA Verification Forms

May be obtained by calling the Guidance Department. Becky Cote 1-800-979-4436 or Mary Halter 1-800-458-7050 ext.2. Deadline March 2, 2005.

FINANCIAL AID AND SCHOLARSHIP INFORMATION

.

Banatao Filipino American Scholarships - five scholarships of $5,000 each to seniors who are at least 50% Filipino heritage and who plan to major in engineering, computer or physical sciences (health professionals , such as doctors and nurses NOT included) at a four-year college in Fall 2005. These scholarships are renewable up to three years for a total of $20,000. Selection criteria include academic achievement, personal strengths, well-informed educational and career goals in engineering/science, participation in family and community activities, honors, work experience and financial need. Applications can be downloaded at www.asianpacificfund.org . Postmark deadline is February 11.

Colorado State University offers a Provost's Scholarship to incoming freshmen who have over a 3.5 GPA and ACT/SAT scores in the range of 28/1240. Must be admitted by February 15 to be considered for this scholarship. This $5,000 scholarship is renewable each year. For more information, visit www.sfs.colostate.edu (select "Search SFS" and type "Provost").

National Commission for Cooperative Education awards merit co-op scholarships to seniors who will participate in college cooperative education at one of these colleges: Antioch College, Drexel University, Johnson & Wales, Kettering University, Long Island University, Northeastern University, Pace University, Rochester Institute of Technology, University of Cincinnati, or University of Waterloo. Sixty-nine $5,000 renewable scholarships will be awarded. Applications are online at www.co-op.edu Deadline is February 15.

Monsanto Company and the Nat'l Association of Farm Broadcasters will sponsor the Commitment to Agriculture Scholarship Program. One hundred seniors will receive awards of $1,500. Applicants must come from a farm family and plan to pursue a career in the field of agriculture. Applications are available online at  www.nafb.com . Applications must be postmarked by February 15.

Asian Pacific Islander American Scholarship Fund applications are now available online for seniors. Must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.7, be a U.S. citizen, and be of Pacific Islander American descent with plans to attend college in fall 2005. The amount of each scholarship award is a maximum of $2,000. Download an application at http://www.apiasf.org  Deadline for completed applications is February 15.

Do you dream of following in Emeril's footsteps? The Institute of Food Technologists offers scholarships to seniors who plan to major in food science/technology in fall 2005. Available for 2005-06 are 109 awards ranging from $1,000 to $2,250. Apply at www.ift.org/education/scholarships Deadline is February 15.

The Print and Graphics Scholarship Foundation gives scholarships to seniors seeking careers in graphic communications. Candidates are judged on academic records, class rank, letters of recommendation, biographical info, and extracurricular interests. Approximately 300 $1,000 to $1,500 awards will be given, renewable for three years. Must have a 3.0 minimum GPA and planning to major in graphic communications. Apply at www.gain.net/employment/scholarships/annual.html  Deadline is March 1.

U. S. Bank Internet Scholarship Program will award thirty $1,000 scholarships to seniors who apply online through February. This is a random drawing - no essays or minimum GPA required. Must be a U.S. citizen or a permanent resident alien and be planning to attend college in fall 2005.

Apply online at http://www.usbank.com/cgi_w/cfm/studentloans/marketing.cfm

Engineering majors: San Jose State University offers a Silicon Valley Engineering Scholarship program. These $20,000 merit-based scholarships are for entering freshmen students majoring in engineering or technology programs. Over the last three years, SJSU committed nearly a half million dollars to over twenty students under this program. For more information, please see the engineering web site: www.engr.sjsu.edu

United Negro College Fund offers thousands of scholarships to African American college-bound students. Eligibility requirements include minimum GPA of  2.5, demonstrated financial need and completion of the FAFSA. Go to http://www.uncf.org/scholarships/index.asp for applications and details. Deadlines vary by program.

CALIFORNIA CASH FOR COLLEGE WORKSHOP California Cash for College workshops take place across the state in January and February of each year. These workshops provide FREE, professional assistance to families completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and Cal Grant GPA Verification Forms necessary for Cal Grants and other types of financial aid. Whether you want to attend a four-year college, community college, or vocational or technical school, California Cash for College workshops can help you get the money you need. To find a workshop in your area, go to the California Student Aid Commission website www.californiacashforcollege.org/work.asp

College Entrance Exam Test Dates and Deadlines – Class of 06 and beyond

Test	Test Date	Registration Deadline	Late Registration Deadline
SAT I	March 12,2005	Feb. 7	Feb. 16
ACT	April 9, 2005	March 4	March 18
SAT I & II	May 7 2005	March 25	Apr. 6
SAT I & II	June 4 2005	April 29	May 11
ACT	June 11, 2005	May 6	May 20

For College Entrance…take the new SAT and/or the ACT (with optional writing portion). Register – SAT - www.collegeboard.com , ACT - www.actstudent.org School Code 053706

FREE SAT REVIEW WORKSHOP!!!!

DeVry University is sponsoring a Free SAT Preparatory Review, which will be taught by DeVry University Professors using official materials from the Princeton Review and the College Board. The course will prepare students to take the new SAT 1 Mathematics and Verbal Reasoning Exam. The workshop will be offered at two sites:

Did you know…..you can take AP (Advanced Placement) Exams even if you have not taken the course???? Most colleges and universities grant college credit with a passing score of 3, 4, or 5. There are AP Exams for several subjects AP English Language, AP English Literature, AP French Language, AP Spanish Language, AP Biology, AP Physics, AP Chemistry, AP Environmental Science, AP Calculus, AP Studio Art….and more. Exams are administered in May at many regular high schools. If you are interested, please call your local high school to find out what they are offering and to sign up NOW! Each exam costs about $85. If you need further information, call Mary Halter at

1-800-458-7050 ext. 2.

Great America

4701 Great America Pkwy, Santa Clara, CA

http://www.pgathrills.com

This activity is sponsored by Connecting Waters Charter School. Educational funding can be used for this event.

Date of activity: Friday, May 6

Time: 10 am

Cost: $26.99

Deadline date to respond: March 1, 2005

IN ORDER TO GO ON THIS TRIP YOU MUST...

1. MAKE SURE YOUR E.S. HAS SIGNED YOU UP ON THE WEBFILES.

2. PERMISSION SLIPS* AND MONEY FOR EXTRA TICKETS MUST BE RECEIVED BY THE WATERFORD OFFICE BY MARCH 1, 2005 (CWCS, Attn: Denise Lindvall, 219 N. Reinway Ave. Waterford, CA 95386). PLEASE MAKE THE CHECKS OUT TO “GREAT AMERICA” FOR EXTRA TICKETS.

3. IF YOU WANT YOUR TICKETS SENT TO YOU PLEASE ENCLOSE A SELF-ADDRESSED, STAMPED ENVELOPE. IF YOU DON’T DO THIS, YOU WILL HAVE TO PICK UP YOUR TICKETS AT ONE OF THE LEARNING CENTERS.

4. PLEASE NOTE: IF YOUR TICKETS ARE LOST IN THE MAIL, GREAT AMERICA WILL NOT ISSUE YOU NEW ONES. IF THIS IS A CONCERN FOR YOU, IT WOULD BE BEST TO PICK  YOUR TICKETS UP AT THE MANTECA LEARNING CENTER, MODESTO LEARNING CENTER OR THE WATERFORD OFFICE. PLEASE LET ME KNOW WHERE YOU WANT THE TICKETS HELD FOR YOU.

Contact Person: Denise Lindvall, deniselindvall@hotmail.com

*To get to the permission slip, go to:

http://www.ieminc.org/genericforms/edactper.pdf