
Our
Self Improvement Program
By Sherri
Nelson
Our school is a wonderful school but even a wonderful
school can make improvements! We
are in the process of going through what WASC (Western Association of Schools
and Colleges) calls a ‘Self Study’.
I’m calling it our ‘School Improvement Program’. We are looking at our school in depth to
see how we are doing in the following areas or criteria: curriculum & instruction, assessment
& accountability, student personal and academic growth, culture, as well as
leadership and staff. We have
teacher, parent, and subject area groups meeting to look at our school in the
above areas. The groups have come
up with wonderful ideas some of which we will be implementing this year. Along with the suggestions we will be
developing an ‘Action Plan’ which will involve a six year plan for making our
school improvements. This has been
a lot of work but also very exciting!
We can accomplish so much more and come up with much better ideas when we
work together. We welcome the input
of more parents and students. If
you are interested please call me at the
As we look at our school to find areas of need for
improvement, we are evaluating our school based on the goals that we have set
forth for our school. Several
parents, students, teachers, and a contract program instructor attended a
meeting last year and answered the questions, “What should every student
who leaves our school be able to do, know, understand, or value to be successful
in the real world?” They agreed upon several goals or
expected schoolwide learning results (ESLRS). The ESLRS for our students are listed
below. We would like for you to
please review these with your students.
Some students are given extra credit for memorizing these goals. We find that most people who set goals
achieve those goals and have a high success rate. Many students ask, ‘why do I have to go
to school?’ Below are the reasons
to learn, attend, and complete school!
Connecting
~Expected Schoolwide Learning Results~
(ESLRs)
CWCS
will prepare its graduates to be:
1. Effective
Communicators who:
2. Effective Citizens who:
3. Technologically Skilled Individuals who:
4. Historically-Aware Learners who:
5. Mathematical Thinkers who:
6. Scientific Thinkers who:
7. Lifelong Learners who:
Back to School
Night
Our Back to School Night/Parent
orientation on Tuesday, August 24th at the
This year we had a group of six
panelists who each discussed briefly a different aspect of non-classroom based
education. They covered unschooling, the reluctant home schooler, the ecclectic approach,
parent/child relationships, homeschool dads, and homeschooling high schoolers. They
were fabulous! Each spent time
discussing their topic with honesty and humor at times. There was something for everyone and we
all learned something new!
We had a variety of small group
instructors in attendance who shared information about their classes. The following are courses and out
reaches that were represented:
California & Ancient history, ASL, U.S. History, Geometry, Character
First, Kindermusik, Spanish, Drama, Yearbook, Sewing,
Computers, Arts & Crafts, Writing,/Readers Theater, Science, Piano, Violin ,
Flute, Tutoring and Tae Kwon Do.
We enjoyed refreshments,
mingling and meeting ESs, staff and new parents. One of our parents kept the students
grade 1-6 occupied by doing crafts in the back of the room. The children really enjoyed the craft
time. We appreciate all of the hard
work and the time that this parent dedicates to the school! We appreciate all of our parents and
would like to thank everyone for their help and attendance at our annual Back to
School Night!
CWCS
Systematic Testing Plan
2004-2005
Benchmark Exams
Q &
A
Why do we need to take extra tests, isn’t the STAR enough? The Benchmark exams have been created to help you throughout the year to prepare your student for the STAR in the spring. The tests are designed as check points every quarter to see how your student is doing towards mastery of the standards.
Is this the first year administering these exams? Yes, this is a pilot program for Connecting Waters. Although this is our first year other schools have used benchmark exams and they have been successful in helping students achieve mastery of the standards.
Do the exams cover all subjects? No, they will only include Math and English this year.
Do the exams cover all of the standards for each grade levels? No, the tests cover what are considered the ‘essential standards’. We realize that it may be difficult to cover all standards in all subjects throughout the school year.
How can I prepare my student for these tests? You may teach your child as you always have realizing that your curriculum may not follow the order of standards that are assessed during each test. Or you can teach your student the standards in the order that they appear on the ‘Schoolwide Benchmark Assessment Plan’ for math and language arts http://www.ieminc.org/handbook/test/cwbenchass/index.htm.
If I have not signed up for an Edusoft account can I still participate in taking the
exams? Yes, you can either pick
up a test at either the Ceres or
What are the testing windows? They are each quarter, September 20-24; November 15-19; January 24-28; and March 14-18.
Will the results of the Benchmark exam effect whether my student advances to the next grade level? No, these exams are to be used as a tool for you, your ES, and the school. The results of the exam can be used to evaluate your curriculum and to see how CWCS can better improve our school program.
What grades and subjects will be tested? Grades 2-11 will be tested in Math and English this year.
Can my student test in a grade level above or below his/her actual grade level? Yes, all grade levels 2-11 will be available for you to view and use.
If my student does poorly when he/she takes the exam the first time can he retake it to improve his score? Yes, your student may take the exam as many times as he/she would like to. However, for our purposes of seeing how well this system is working we ask that you record the score that your student receives the first time and then allow him/her to re take the exam. We would like for you to scan the results of the first test so that it can be recorded into Edusoft’s online grade book.
Where can I scan the results? The results can be scanned at either the
Ceres/Modesto or
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
“College Basics 101” Parent/Student
Workshop
Date:
Time:
Location:
To reserve your
space and to register for this great workshop call the
Not
sure where to start? Find out! This workshop will focus on getting
prepared for college, how to research your options and what it takes to get
in. What courses should you
take? How do you begin finding a
college? Where do you want to go?
Learn all about it!
“a-g” Subject Area Requirements – New
Course Submission Information
German 1, 2, 3 ; Portuguese – Beginning, Intermediate and
Advanced ; and Calculus are in the process of being submitted to the University
of California for acceptance as
“a-g” requirements. A request to add the Chalkdust text/video curriculum to the existing “a-g” math
courses is also being submitted. If
the courses are accepted by the
FINANCIAL AID
AND SCHOLARSHIP INFORMATION
Planning and timely action
can make a difference in how much money you have to pay for college. You can start early by setting up a
college savings account. It is
important to research ways to finding money for college. Talk with friends who have students in
college, attend financial aid meetings in the area, and go to local college
fairs. Most colleges have their own
scholarship and financial aid programs available through their Financial Aid
Office, but most colleges require that you have submitted a FAFSA application
(Free Application for Federal Student Aid). You can check the college website for
financial aid information (for

TOP TEN TIPS FOR COLLEGE ADMISSIONS
College Entrance Exam
Test Dates and Deadlines
|
Test |
Test Date |
Registration |
Late Registration |
|
ACT |
Sept
25 |
Aug
20 |
Aug 21 - Sept
3 |
|
SAT I &
II |
Oct
9 |
Sept
7 |
Sept
15 |
|
ACT |
Oct
23 |
Sept
17 |
Sept 18-Oct
1 |
|
SAT I &
II |
Nov
6 |
Oct
1 |
Oct
13 |
|
SAT I &
II |
Dec
4 |
Oct
29 |
Nov
10 |
|
ACT |
Dec
11 |
Nov
5 |
Nov
6-18 |
To Register:
SAT – http://www.collegeboard.com/
ACT – http://www.act.org/
Guidance Department
Questionnaire
How can we help you? We are planning several workshops that
will help you reach your goals.
Please assist us in determining your needs.
What types of workshops should be offered? Please place a check mark next to those
that sound interesting.
_____Goal Setting – What do I want to do after high
school?
_____Student Success Skills and Study Skills
workshop
_____Getting Prepared for College – what courses should
I take?
_____Choosing a College
_____UC/CSU Workshop
_____UC/CSU Application Workshop
_____Financial Aid Workshop
_____FAFSA Application Workshop
_____Community College Workshop
_____Vocational/business or technical school
workshop
Other Ideas:
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Thank you for your help!
Parent
Name________________________
Address____________________________
___________________________________
Phone_____________________________
Student
Name_______________________
Grade______________________________
PMCT for
September
This
year for our Parent Monthly Curriculum Trainings we plan to have information
presented or view videos that the ESs have seen in their meetings. On Thursday, September 16th we will view a video on
alternative teaching methods at the Ceres/Modesto Learning Center. We will also talk about the Character
First Assemblies that we hope to get started in October. The month of October has historically been
recognized as Character Education Month in
We
will be at the Ceres/Modesto Learning Center at
Please
put us on your calendar for September!!!
Cathy Moretto, Site Program Coordinator
Shelley Benedetti and Heidi Bowman, Site Clerks
Monday 9:00am to
3:30pm
Tuesday 9:00am to 3:30pm
Wednesday 9:00am to
2:00pm
Thursday 9:00am to 3:30pm
Friday 9:00am to
2:30pm
209-239-7306
955 W. Center, #9
New News We are happy to welcome
new site clerks Shelley Benedetti and Heidi Bowman. They have been working very
hard to make the site more user-friendly and we have heard good reports about
the results. We have organized and labeled all of the resource shelves to make
it easier to find materials. We may still have some of the wonderful new texts
that
Thanks go to CWCS parent Sheryl Bloudoff, who has worked hard categorizing many of the
library books, making it easier to find the level or type of book for your
school subject or reading pleasure. This is an ongoing project. Let us know if
you would like to volunteer an hour or two to help label and shelve library
books.
Computer
Lab
By the time you read this we hope to have our new computer
lab up and running. We will have a room with 6 internet-connected computers for
student use during open hours.
Materials Return As you start
the new school year, please look through your textbooks and materials, and see
what you have that won’t be used again by your family. Please consider turning
these materials in at the
Site Support Thank you to those who have so
generously supported the sites this school year. As you meet with your ES,
please remember to sign new agreements for the center of your choice. Full
support is only $110 per year for K-8 students and $155 per year for 9-12 grade
students. This entitles you to unlimited use of the site and checkout of
materials during open hours. If you choose not to support the site in this way,
there is a $5 per student/per visit charge.
Tentative
Fall ‘04 Classes Revised 8/3/04
Course
Name Grades Dates Time Instructor Cost
MONDAYS
Algebra 1
Algebra 2
TUESDAYS
HS Writing Grades 7-11
9/7-12/21 11-12:00 T. Matranga $144
Cartoon
Characters 4-12 9/7-12/21 9-11:00 Timeless Treasures $220
(Oils and acrylics) Call
Michelle Dunwoody for availability
Mother & Baby
Whale 4-12 9/7-12/21 11-1:00 Timeless Treasures $220 PO
(Oil) Call Michelle Dunwoody for availability
Landscape (Painting) 4-12 9/7-12/21 1-2:00 Timeless Treasures $160
(Oil) Call Michelle Dunwoody for
availability
Landscape (Painting)
4-12 9/7-12/21 2-3:00 Timeless Treasures $160
(Oil) Call Michelle Dunwoody for
availability
WEDNESDAYS
Hands On Science Grades 1-3 10/27-12/15 10-11:00 J. Sandberg
$50
Intro To Illustration Grades 2-4 9/8-12/15 9-10:00 P. Maness
$98
WEDNESDAY/THURSDAYS
Computer-Aided
Illustration Grades 9-12 9/8-12/16 10-11:00 P. Maness $165
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
FRIDAYS
CA History
Grades 3-5 9/10-10/22 10-11:00 J. Sandberg $45
Also Available Offsite
*Science Camp
(Outdoor Education) Grade 6 Approx. $225. Details to Follow
*Ice skating-
Oak Park Ice Rink,
*Karate- Mitoses, Union &
*Valley Tae Kwon
Do,
825-8825 Olympic Training Facility
*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,
The Ceres/Modesto
Learning Center …
September Teacher
Spotlight
We welcome Diane VanderVeen as a
new Contract Program Instructor this semester! Diane was born and raised in
Better Writing 1-3rd Grade and Better Writing 4th-6th Grade – These classes will enhance whatever writing program you have chosen to do with your child at home. Diane will work through a popular curriculum called, “Write Refelections,” where she will begin simply and build until students are comfortable with brainstorming, creating webs, using graphic organizers, writing effective paragraphs, and creating both expository and narrative papers. Diane has a unique way of making writing fun for every child and helping them to develop the confidence they need as young writers. The Better Writing classes are “School Sponsored,” which means that you will only pay a small material fee of $4.50 for your student to attend class for the entire semester. Don’t miss this wonderful opportunity!
Reader’s Theater with Puppets 1st-4th Grade – This class is designed to build reading fluency. Students will read and act through content rich scripts where they will practice reading orally with expression. Students will create paper craft costumes and puppets to enhance their theater readings! The California State Standards require both reading and speaking applications in each grade level and this class meets many of those standards.
Hands On Science 1st-4th Grade – Diane will take students through exciting science exploration activities in which they will dig in and predict, examine, construct, invent, and draw conclusions using a hands on discovery method. Some of the topics students will study include: outer space, mystery animals, plant parts, life-cycles, simple machines, human bodies, liquids and solids, and the food web.
The center is an ideal place for students to meet teachers,
attend classes, gather resources, work on computers, or even take music
lessons. We are continually
improving in order to provide you with new curriculum choices and dynamic
classes that will motivate and challenge students.
Get
to Know New Faces
Grace Lybolt will be joining us as a Site Clerk. She will also be teaching: Cake Decorating and Sewing. We are excited to have Grace join us this year and are confident that she will make a fantastic addition to the center staff. Make sure to introduce yourself to Grace when you stop by the center!
Krystal Anderson will be returning
this year as a Site Clerk. She is now starting the Teaching Credential Program at
Sign
Up for New Classes
Be sure to sign up early for the wonderful classes available at the Ceres/Modesto Learning Center. These classes are an opportunity for your students to learn in a collaborative group setting where they can interact with others learning the same subject. We also have some wonderful new instructors who have come on board to teach classes like: Cake Decorating, Sewing, Drawing, Arts and Crafts, Reader’s Theater, Economics, U.S. History, and Hands on Science, just to name a few! If there is another class you would like to see taught at the center in the future, please let us know!
Fall ‘04 Classes as of 9/1/04
9-10:30
*Drama
K-8th J.
Hilbert
$39
9/13/04
10:30-12 *Creative
Dance
K-8th J.
Hilbert
$39
9/13/04
12-2
*Sign language
K-8th J.
Hilbert
$39
9/13/04
10-11
Beg. Sewing 1st-3rd G.
Lybott
$105
9/13/04
11-12
Beg. Sewing
4th-6th G.
Lybott
$105
9/13/04
*These classes will be performing a Christmas Musical in December
9-10:30
10:30-12
Geometry
9th-12th J. Carkeet $123
8/31/04
1-2 HS
Writing 7th-12th T. Matranga
$158
9/07/04
2-3
CAHSEE Writing Prep 10th, 11th (10
wks) “$8.00 SS
9/07/04
Tuesday & Thursday
11-12
Spanish 1
9th-12th B.
12-1
Spanish 2
9th-12th
B.
Wednesday
9-10
Better Writing
1st-3rd
D.
Vanderveen $4.50 SS 9/1/04
10-11
Better Writing 4th-6th D. Vanderveen $4.50 SS 9/1/04
11-12
Readers Theatre 1st-4th D. Vanderveen $111
9/1/04
w/ puppets
12-1
Hands on Science
1st-4th D. Vanderveen $111
9/1/04
1-2
Intro to Art
B.
1-2 Arts
and Crafts
1st-8th D.
Thursday
9-3
Piano
K-12th
C.
Pearson
$225
T.B.A
9-12 Math
Tutoring
J.
Carkeet
T.B.A.
Friday
9-10
Beg.
Drawing
K-12th
J. Gray
$58
9/3/04
10-11
Beg.
Drawing
k-12th
J.
Gray
$58
9/3/04
11-1
Guitar
K-12th J.
Gray
T.B.A.
Please call the
What will you get FREE just for coming in and taking a
picture?
A free credit
card style student id card with the CW logo that can be used for student
discounts and the CAHSEE in the spring!
Also, a student picture in the full color
yearbook!
Can parents take pictures and also receive an id
card?
Yes, for a fee of $5.00 you can also have a beautiful
school id card!
Can I purchase regular picture
packages?
Yes, the picture packages are very reasonably
priced.
Make checks
payable to Leonard’s Photography
You will also be able to purchase a full color yearbook
for only $25.00.
Make checks
payable to CWCS
School Pictures will be taken at two locations for your
convenience:
Tuesday, September 7th at the
209-541-1531
and
Thursday, September 9th at the
209-239-7306
Both locations are taking appointments between
Call today to make an appointment for your
student!
Both locations will also have make up
days!
PLEASE BE SURE TO ATTEND PICTURE DAY IF AT ALL POSSIBLE!!!!
The ID cards that they make for us are very nice credit
card style.
St. Jude Children’s
MATH *A* THON
Sponsored by Connecting
It’s as Easy as
1.
Students will pick up a
Permission/Registration form and collection envelope from one of the
2.
When
your math funbook or CD arrives, complete all the fun
problems and puzzles within seven days. Funbooks and
CD will be available at the
3. Collect your pledges from your sponsors and
return them to the
Students collecting $35
or more will receive a t-shirt, certificate and a free pass to Six Flags Theme
Parks. Those collecting $75 will receive a St. Jude sports bag, t-shirt,
certificate and free pass to Six Flags Theme Parks. The student who raises the
most money over $125 will win a CD boom box. Everyone who turns in money will
receive a certificate.
Please visit the Math*A*Thon web site at www.mathathon.org.
Here you can see sample questions, and your students can play games, download a
Math*A*Thon screensaver and send e-cards. There is also a special section for
parents to learn more about the program and the hospital.
Connecting
209-874-9463
Ceres/Modesto Learning
Center
209-541-1531
209-239-7306