17 April 2015 Friday Facts 9659 E. Mississippi Ave. Denver, CO 80247 720.747.2100 Main 720.747.2183 Fax http://challengeschool.org In This Edition: Front Page News Letter From The Principal For Your Information… PTCO Corner Open PTCO Leadership Positions Parent’s Night Out Spring Wingding Challenge School Astronomical Laboratories Challenge School State Science Fair Results Scratch Day Letter From Gary Firko Bylaws For The AAC Governing Board /AAC Minutes Flyers Flyers Flyers Challenge Challenge Update Immersion Driving Paperwork Wellness Committee Flyer Reem and Damari’s Toy Drive Service Hours Honor Roll P.I.N Flyer Student Athletes Flyer Engaging Boys Of Color Challenge School Website: challenge.cherrycreekschools.org PTO Manager: www.challengeschool.ptomanager.com Submit content for newsletter by Wed, NOON to: [email protected] Page 1 of 20 Friday Facts Front Page News Letter From The Principal Dear Challenge Community Members, When the Challenge School was established, a Governing Board was created to ensure the administrators, educators, and families carried out the mission of the school. To aid in that effort, operational guidelines were codified in the form of a document called Bylaws, an internally binding set of rules that clarified matters such as officer elections, guidelines for meetings and how certain funds are administered. Additionally, a School Accountability Committee was formed in response to state Board of Education requirements. Both entities eventually merged to increase efficiency. This year, the school formed a committee to review the Bylaws to ensure compliance with state and district standards. This process was conducted in close communication with the district’s administrators and legal office. The committee met on March 5, 2015, and had representation from parents, administrators, and Governing Board members. Those present were: Alissa Beck, Suzanne Belibi, Jeanne Cahn, Sally Clark, Megan Curran, Karen Frary, John Kennedy, Vanessa Henk, Nancy Lee, Linda Maccagnan, Rebecca Morgenegg, Chris Smith, Tsion Taye, John Wiley, and Sonji Wilkes. The group discussed the Bylaws at length and made a number of recommended revisions, including: • Changing the name. • Defining membership on the committee. • Defining roles of members of the committee. • Outlining the responsibilities of the committee so they are in line with CCSD School Board policies and state statutes and laws. A sub-committee met on March 18, 2015, to draft new Bylaws based on these recommendations. Those present were: Sally Clark, Vanessa Henk, Nancy Lee, Linda Maccagnan, and Rebecca Morgenegg. Highlights included: • A new name – Advisory and Accountability Committee (AAC) – was suggested in order to accurately reflect the legal function of the group: For more information on state accountability requirements, please visit the Colorado Department of Education’s website: http://www.cde.state.co.us/accountability. • Parents will remain elected officials as the Chair, Chair Elect, and Secretary. (continued) 17 April 2015 Friday Facts • • • All Challenge School community members in attendance at AAC meetings will have voting privileges. The AAC will continue to be a forum for expressing school-wide feedback and concerns. All voices are welcome, and parent engagement is encouraged. In compliance with state policy, the AAC will continue to provide transparency and accountability of school-wide academic performance measures and plans. The committee presented a draft of the revised Bylaws to the Governing Board/Advisory and Accountability Committee on April 7, 2015. The Bylaws were approved, with minor changes, and went into effect immediately.The Bylaws can be found on the school website and in the front office. These efforts are part of the school’s ongoing commitment to creating an inclusive and responsible environment that inspires, empowers, and challenges our children to thrive. The AAC will next meet in the fall and we hope to see you there. Please contact either of us with questions or comments. Thank you. Sincerely, Linda Maccagnan Nancy Lee Interim Principal AAC Chair, 2014-15 **Please read the Bylaws and minutes from the AAC meeting down below. For Your Information… PTCO Corner Check out the Flyers Section of the Friday Facts for the most up to date information about the Challenge Challenge! Many thanks to our Librarian, Kristen Draper, for spending Tuesday evening with us at our PTCO Meeting. We enjoyed her presentation on how to use the online library database, so that we can keep our kids engaged and reading this summer. Thanks, Mrs. Draper! Feel free to contact her if you need help in learning how to use the system. She loves to share information on how to keep kids reading! Thanks also to Principal Maccagnan for her open and informative question and answer discussion. We were pleased to hear her announcement about the hiring of a Differentiation Coach/GT Teacher, and her hopes to obtain new math curriculum for our middle schoolers. We were also delighted to hear her plans for streamlining Page 2 of 20 school wide communications between staff and parents. 2015/16 is going to be a great year, folks! Have you had difficulty logging your volunteer hours this week? US TOO! ;-) Due to a system upgrade, we are currently experiencing technical difficulties with PTO Manager. Our Volunteer Coordinator, Candace Ellman, is working with our district database manager to figure out the "issues." The manager has temporarily shut down the site for maintenance. Hopefully, it will be up and running soon. We'll keep you posted. Thanks for your patience. Have you "Met the Challenge"? Now's the time! Only ONE WEEK LEFT! Onward and upward! Rhonda Clark and Nancy Wilson (Co-Presidents) Tim Weber and Sunshine Morgan (Co-Vice Presidents) Candace Ellman (Volunteer Coordinator) Michelle Austin (Secretary) Kimberly Chapman (Treasurer) Open PTCO Leadership Positions Looking for ways to fill your 25 hours next year? Wishing you could take on more of a leadership role? The following leadership positions are available for the 20152016 year. For many of these positions, you can do the majority of the work from home or on your own time. If you are interested in any of these positions or have any questions please contact Candace Ellman, Volunteer Coordinator at [email protected]. • Lunchbox Clean-up – coordinate volunteers to clean out lunchboxes left in the lost & found • Entertainment Books Co-Chair - work with our current chair beginning this May as he teaches you what’s involved with preparing for this fall fundraiser, then take over as chair for the 2016-17 school year. • 8th Grade Continuation shadow – for parents of th students who will be in 7 grade this fall. You would work with the current chairs as they plan Continuation 2016 to learn what’s involved, and then plan out Continuation 2017. Two parents needed. • Trivia Night Chair – one or two parents needed to run this fun event. • Field Day K-4 Chair - one or two parents needed to chair this fun event. Primarily involves organizing volunteers. • • • Community Event Coordinator PIN Representative Cool Force Community Service Chair 17 April 2015 Friday Facts Parent’s Night Out Challenge School Parents SAVE THE DATE: st May 1 2015, 3-7 PM We, the Team E students traveling to Spain in May 2015 invite your children to join us for the ‘Parent’s Night Out’ event for the Spain Immersion fundraiser. We will provide and supervise four fabulous hours of fun for kids while you parents get away for an evening by yourselves! For a mere $20, your child gets 4 hours of activities, games, movies and more! Pizza and juice will be provided, so there is no need to pack another meal. All students in grades K-5 are invited to this event. If you have more than one child in the school, they can join in the fun as well. Its $ 30 for two children OR $40 for three. Siblings of students in the Spain immersion can enjoy a great evening for only $5 each. Please stop by our table on Wednesday April 22 Conferences to sign up! nd • Beverages -- We need 20 more 12-packs (can be dropped off at main office prior to event) • Coolers -- We need 6 more (can be dropped off at main office prior to event; can be picked up at end of event or following week at school) • Ice -- We need 14 more 20-lb. bags (goes nicely with lending a cooler -- hint, hint!) • Hand sanitizer -- We need 6 bottles • Gift cards -- We'll gratefully accept any and all gift card donations; we have approximately 30 already but would love to have more; we'll use them in a magnetic balloon pop game where you'll have a chance to win a card All of these items and more are listed on the Spring Wingding SignupGenius at http://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f0b48abaa29a13volunteer/. Thank you! Questions? Contact Marjorie Wallwey or Valli Kumar, event co-chairs, at [email protected] (Marjorie) or [email protected] (Valli). during *Please contact Mr. Wiley at 720.747.2106 or [email protected] for any additional information. Spring Wingding We're Having a Spring Wingding on May 8 Come Join the Fun! Challenge School Astronomical Laboratories Presents: High Altitude Balloon Launch Wed. April 29, 8:30AM Come to the Challenge School to see the second launch of the year! Students in Minicourse 5 have created experiments to send up to near space. The launch will take place in the science plaza on the South side of the building. Challenge School State Science Fair Results If you are reading this, YOU are invited to attend the Spring Wingding picnic on Friday, May 8 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. We'll supply pizza, beverages, desserts, a huge bouncer, and games of chance with gift cards from local businesses as prizes. Did we mention it's FREE?!?! This is the PTCO's way of thanking everyone for their volunteer work and to just plain have fun. We'll be outside on the back lawn, so bring your lawn chairs, blankets, canopies/umbrellas, Frisbees, and Nerf footballs. There is no charge to attend, but RSVPs are required so that we can be sure to have enough food and drinks on hand. RSVP to [email protected] no later than Friday, May 1. Be sure to tell us how many adults (ages 12+) and how many children (under 12). Also let us know if you would prefer vegetarian pizza. Emhyr Subramanian: 1 place, Chemistry; 3 place overall Junior Division Special Awards: Navy and Marine Corps., American Water Works Association, CO Environmental Health Association, ASM materials education foundation, NOAA Can YOU help? You CAN -- even if you won't be able to attend. We still need Challenge families to sign up to supply: Evelyn Bodoni: Honorable Mention Behavioral and Social Science Page 3 of 20 st rd nd Advaita Singh: 2 place Environmental Science Special Awards: SACNAS CSU Chapter Roman Campos: Honorable Mention Earth and Space Science Special Awards: CO Scientific Society, Rocky Mountain Association of Geologists nd Edwin Bodoni: 2 place Medicine and Health Special Awards: CO Dental Association 17 April 2015 Friday Facts Scratch Day Letter From Gary Firko Hello everyone! Scratch Day 2015 is coming up soon, May 9th. This year's registration opened on Friday April 10th at 7AM. If you love coding or creating with technology try to attend Scratch Day 2015. This event fills up quickly! Within the last few weeks, there has been a major change in my position with the Cherry Creek School District. I have accepted the position of Lead Security Specialist at Cherry Creek High School. With this position comes greater responsibility and requires supervising the safety and security staff. Because of the new position, I will be leaving the Challenge School at the end of this month. I have had a wonderful time at Challenge and this has been an extremely difficult decision. This is an outstanding learning center with a group of students/children that are incredible to be around. You have accepted me and embraced me as one of your family. It has been an honor and a privilege to be part of the Challenge Team. I want to thank you all for the great time that I have had here and wish each of you the very best in the future. Register here: Cherry Creek Scratch Day 2015 Again, THANK YOU! Gary V. Firko Lead Security Specialist , Challenge School Page 4 of 20 17 April 2015 Friday Facts Bylaws For The Advisory And Accountability Committee Article I THE CHALLENGE SCHOOL MISSION STATEMENT: “Our Mission is to inspire, empower and challenge motivated students who are academically advanced or gifted.” Inspire students’ love of learning - We spark the intellectual curiosity of our students and foster the understanding that learning is an active and ongoing process. Empower students to excel - We teach students to recognize their abilities and build upon their strengths. Challenge students in all areas of development - Through a rigorous academic program, we encourage our students to become compassionate and critical thinkers able to communicate their ideas. Article II PURPOSE OF THE CHALLENGE SCHOOL ADVISORY AND ACCOUNTABILITY COMMITTEE: 1. Founded in 1994 through parent initiative, the Challenge School is a Cherry Creek School District Magnet School. Unique in its vision, the Challenge School seeks to meet the cognitive and affective needs of academically advanced, motivated and gifted students who traditionally would be enrolled in grades kindergarten through eight. A clear notion of the philosophy and purpose of the program is among the school’s outstanding features. This exciting and innovative vision attracted teachers, students, and parents to join together as partners in the education of the children in this unusual school community. 2. The Challenge School is subject to the rules, regulations, and policies of the Cherry Creek School District Board of Education (hereafter referred to as “the BOE”). The Challenge School has instituted an Advisory and Accountability Committee (hereafter referred to as “AAC”) to uphold the Challenge School mission. Keeping the original vision uppermost in mind, the AAC will focus its work on Challenge School goals and objectives set forth in the adopted Challenge School Proposal and will make recommendations to the principal on the development, implementation, and review of the Unified Improvement Plan based on student and school performance and achievement. The AAC will strive to represent the voices and perspectives of all members of the Challenge School community. Article III MEMBERSHIP AND EXPECTATIONS OF ADVISORY AND ACCOUNTABILITY COMMITTEE MEMBERS: 1. Membership on the AAC is open to all members of the Challenge School community and invitations may be extended by the principal to individuals to ensure the committee composition reflects the student populations represented in the school. In compliance with Colorado Department of Education standards for school accountability committees, the AAC shall consist of the following school community members at a minimum: A. Challenge School Principal B. Challenge School Faculty: Chosen by the Challenge School faculty. C. Parents of Challenge School Students: Parent members shall have at least one child enrolled at the Challenge School to remain eligible for membership. D. PTCO President: The standing President of the PTCO shall be a member of the AAC. The election of the PTCO President will be carried out in accordance with the Challenge School’s PTCO bylaws. In the event co-presidents are elected, the co-presidents shall decide which co-president will serve as the PTCO representative on the AAC. E. PASS Parent: Appointed by the principal F. Community member: Appointed by the principal Page 5 of 20 17 April 2015 Friday Facts 2. 3. The officers of the AAC shall consist of a chair, chair elect, secretary, and principal. Their role is to facilitate the process of meetings; the chair will preside over the meetings, the chair elect will perform the duties of the chair in his or her absence, and the secretary will take minutes. A. The chair, chair elect, and secretary must be parents of students currently enrolled at Challenge School. B. The chair elect shall be elected during the last meeting of the school year and will serve in one preparatory term as chair elect and then shall serve a term of one year as chair. If the chair elect cannot serve the additional year as chair, a new chair and chair elect will be elected during the last meeting of the school year. C. The secretary shall be elected during the last meeting of the school year and will serve a term of one year. D. Nominations for chair elect and secretary may be made by the individual or on his or her behalf during the meeting when the elections for those positions will be taking place. In the event a parent wants to be considered for nomination but is unable to attend the meeting, nominations will be accepted no less than a week before the meeting. E. An elected officer may not serve consecutive terms, but may serve additional terms with one year intervening between terms. F. In the event an officer resigns mid-term, the AAC will appoint a replacement to serve for the duration of the term vacated. Voting privileges will be extended to all members in attendance. Article IV EXPECTATIONS OF ADVISORY AND ACCOUNTABILITY COMMITTEE MEMBERS Each member of the AAC is expected to perform the following activities: 1. Become familiar with the mission and vision of the Challenge School and attempt, through deliberation and deed, to act in the best interests of the Challenge School mission and vision and school community. 2. Engage in and encourage communication with members of the Challenge School community so that decisions reflect school-wide perspectives as much as possible. 3. Adhere to the rules, regulations, and policies of the BOE, the Challenge School AAC bylaws, and state and federal laws. Article V GUIDELINES FOR MEETINGS: 1. 2. All meetings of AAC shall be open to the Challenge School community. The date, time, and location of the meeting shall be announced to the public through the school website and/or newsletter at least one month in advance of the meeting. Meetings shall be held at least quarterly during the school year. 3. The agenda shall be set by the chairperson in consultation with the principal and shall be published in the weekly newsletter or be available in the office prior to the meeting. Once approved, the AAC minutes shall be available to community members on the school website and in the Challenge School office. Items to be considered for the agenda should be submitted to the chair at least one month prior to the next AAC meeting. 4. An essential role for AAC members is to promote a positive atmosphere through collaborative dialogue and teamwork, not only among members of the AAC, but also among school community members. In order to promote such an atmosphere, the AAC shall make its decisions by consensus whenever possible. In the absence of a consensus, a majority vote will prevail. Page 6 of 20 17 April 2015 Friday Facts Article VI AUTHORITY AND RESPONSIBILITY: 1. The authority with which the AAC is empowered includes the following: A. Facilitate the implementation of the Challenge School mission. B. Make recommendations to the principal concerning the preparation of the school performance plan. C. Review annual budgets submitted by the principal. D. In collaboration with the principal, recommend supplemental staff configuration provided via funding generated by the PTCO or other non-district sources. E. Review teacher scholarship requests and approve of the distribution of allotted funds. F. Promote parent engagement. G. Promote partnerships with businesses and the community at large. Article VII EFFECTIVE DATE AND AMENDMENT OF BYLAWS: The proposed bylaws herein and any subsequent amendments to these bylaws will become effective upon ratification by a two-thirds majority vote of the Challenge School Advisory and Accountability Committee. The bylaws may be amended at any regular meeting of the Advisory and Accountability Committee by a majority vote of the members present, provided notice of the proposed amendment has been given during the previous regular meeting of AAC and in the notice for the meeting at which the vote will be taken, and the proposed changes have been made available to the Challenge School community at least seven days before the vote. Adopted April 7, 2015 Governing Board Minutes Challenge Governing Board Minutes - Tuesday, April 7, 2015 (5:15 – 6:30pm) In Attendance: Linda Maccagnan, Sally Clark, Megan Curran, Steve Sellers, Tsion Taye, Jeanne Cahn, John Wiley, Alissa Beck, Vanessa Henk, Sherri Gebicki, Sunshine Morgan, Nancy Wilson Call to Order • Nancy moved to call the meeting to order. Megan seconded. Welcome and Introductions Reading and Approval of the Minutes • Linda moved to approve the minutes. John seconded. Motion approved. Recommendations about the Committee Structure and Bylaws • • • Linda shared the process that the group went through to create the draft bylaws The draft bylaws have been available for school and committee members to view in the office. Discussion was then had regarding the bylaws o Question asked: What was the main difference between the current bylaws and new bylaws? It was shared that there were bylaws that were not compliant with state and district policy and needing to ensure alignment between both. o Recommendation: Consider changing the name of Governing Board to include the Accountability Board piece (Current name: Governing Board / Advisory Accountability Committee) Page 7 of 20 17 April 2015 Friday Facts o o Linda summarized the findings and recommendations of the group that worked on the current bylaw work. John moved to move forward to accept the new bylaws for the Governing Board / Advisory Accountability Committee. Tsion accepted. Vote approved. Voting for New Chair Elect and Secretary • • • • Discussion was had around when to decide / vote on the creation of officers for the 2015-2016 school year. Megan made a motion forward to vote on electing a co-chair and secretary officers in the fall. John seconded. Vote approved. Vanessa made a motion to vote on chair election in the fall. Sunshine seconded. Voting occurred and majority was not reached. Motion was declined. st Voting will happen during the 1 meeting in the fall. Determining Topics of Next Year’s Meetings • • • Linda shared what is mandatory to be discussed at the meeting in the upcoming year – the UIP (Unified Improvement Performance Plan). Discussion was had surrounding ideas for topics for next year’s meetings – Ideas: instructional resources, bringing in guest speakers, regular updates on changes, setting of norms for the board. Sally shared the idea of trying to brainstorm a list of ideas of topics for upcoming meetings and asking/polling parents regarding ideas about next year. Teacher Scholarship Requests • • • • Teacher scholarship fund has a little under $5,000 (leftover monies from previous years) Two teacher scholarship applications were brought forth. Application A – John moved to approved. Steve seconded. Motion was approved. Application B – Megan moved to approve. Steve seconded. Motion was approved. Celebrations for the Year • • • • Linda shared that Challenge has received a partial grant for the Mindset Curriculum. The program is called “Brainology” – teaches the idea that growth and effort matter not just initial scores. Focuses on the idea of growth vs. fixed mindset. Linda shared that the district has given funding to support a “GT Coordinator” – someone to support the GT population. The “Challenge Challenge” is helping to create this position for the upcoming school year. Linda shared that Team E Students will have a Rotation worked out for next year where they will choose from PE, Technology and Music. Every student will receive Art instruction. Sally shared Wellness Committee update – garden beds should be planted this spring. Adjournment – Tsion / Sherri G. Respectfully Submitted, Alissa Beck Page 8 of 20 17 April 2015 Friday Facts Flyers Flyers Flyers Challenge Challenge Update Page 9 of 20 17 April 2015 Friday Facts Challenge Challenge Update Page 10 of 20 17 April 2015 Friday Facts Challenge Challenge Update Page 11 of 20 17 April 2015 Friday Facts Challenge Challenge Update Page 12 of 20 17 April 2015 Friday Facts Challenge Challenge Update Page 13 of 20 17 April 2015 Friday Facts Immersion Driving Paperwork Page 14 of 20 17 April 2015 Friday Facts Wellness Committee Flyer Page 15 of 20 17 April 2015 Friday Facts Reem and Damari’s Toy Drive Reem S. and Damari W. from Team C in Challenge School are holding a toy drive for the Children's Hospital Colorado! Kids are suffering from a serious disease and have to sit in a hospital bed for hours everyday doing NOTHING. How would you feel if this happened to you? So, please donate and you won’t regret doing it .We promise. Donate NEW items with the tag on it or in original packaging and deliver it to the Main Hallway, Upstairs in front of Senora Martinez Colwell classroom, or in front of Ms. Julie’s classroom (first classroom once you enter into Team C Hallway). The kids will have the best time playing with their family and friends. Thank you for your donation and please ask your parents to donate to our toy drive. Keep in mind that the hospital will NOT ACCEPT USED ITEMS. ITEMS NEED TO BE IN THE ORIGINAL PACKAGING! NO ITEMS THAT DEPICT VIOLENCE, PLEASE! Thank You! Items that they need the most: Portable DVD players XBOX 360 Games (Only E and E10+ games) Wii games 4-8 pack crayons Water Colors DVDs for all ages (Nothing over a PG-13 Rating) Popular Disney Movies XBOX 360 controllers Nintendo DS lite or DSI Gift cards to Target,Walmart,Movie theatres,restaurants,iTunes,Michaels,Hobby Lobby Medical play kits C batteries Button Batteries Glue Playing cards Items for everyone: Crayons or colored pencils Play Doh Journals Push Button books Scissors Beading Kits Craft Kits Dry erase boards and markers I spy or Where’s Waldo books Flap Books Fuzzy Felt posters Items for Newborns, Infants and Toddlers: Plastic and washable mobiles Shape sorters Rattles and teethers Stackable rings Light up or musical toys Activity boxes that attach to a crib Little people Crib Mirrors Rideable toys Vibrating Seats Pillows, Swings Bath toys, Lullaby CDs,Board Books Please see the complete list of products in the Team C hallway. Thanks for helping kiddos make a difference. Page 16 of 20 17 April 2015 Friday Facts Service Hours Honor Roll Thank you to the following families for completing their 25 hour family service requirement from January through the end of March: Parents Saida Mary Michelle Amelia & John Venkat Randy & Maureen Johana Cher Lisa Amy Natasha Pankeyeva & Artour Denise & Paul Rafiq & Shirin Arjita Bryan & Kristine Ravi & Vini Jonathan & Kimberly Katherin Myra Tiphaine Louradour & Jack Lou & Mike Kannan Alagappan & Pushpanjali Amy&Dave Julie Jing & Marty Valli Shoba Christy Tara Saida Mary Michelle Family Aamina Atkins Austin Barrett Battula Breitenbach Butcher Carlson Corbin DeColibus Parents Family Sayantani & Akshay Mahajan Melanie Marmorstein Belinda Torres-‐Mary & Bruno C. Mary Dayvaughn & Gina Mays Yuko Moore Sunshine Morgan Meenakshi Kapur & Vikas Munjal Dileep & Thara Nair Mary Sarah Omer Rachel & Jorge Pazmino Djibilov Erwin Farishta Ghosh Goodwin Gopal Haag Hall Hassan Hwang Jezier Jacquelynn Mark & Denise Daniel & Cecilie Jason & Erin Tony & Tonette Jessica Yiqun & Vern Kristi Robb Julia & Chris David & Brenda Pleis Pruisner Richardsen Rowland Salazar Sauther Shellman Stanlis Sus Toll Valdez Bob & Su Carl & Melissa Mrs. Lani Irena & Michael Shawn & Chan John Francis & Jenny Tirzha Sayantani & Akshay Vendryes Walker Wall Wieck Yan Yang Yip Zabarauskas Mahajan Kannan Keegan Kirk Kroll Kumar Kuppusamy Legleiter Lopez Aamina Atkins Austin Be sure to enter all hours, even once your goal is met, as this information is reviewed for grant considerations for our school. Page 17 of 20 17 April 2015 Friday Facts P.I.N Flyer Page 18 of 20 17 April 2015 Friday Facts Student Athletes Flyer Page 19 of 20 17 April 2015 Friday Facts Engaging Boys Of Color Page 20 of 20
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