January 25, 2024

News from Steve

Dear Copper Mesa Community,

I am sitting in the gathering area this Wednesday afternoon beginning to write my blast using my hotspot on my phone as the internet and phones have been down most of the day. We don’t realize how much we rely on technology and internet service until it is not working properly. I was talking to a teacher this morning sharing how when I was in “teacher school” I had to learn how to spool, load and splice the film on a movie projector!! Yes, I am that old!!

Our PRIDE Skill next week is: Dependable

This week I will mention the following:

Student Writing
Daughter Dance
Specials
Educational Assistant Substitutes

STUDENT WRITING

I am so proud and so very impressed with one of our sixth grade students. She wrote a masterful piece about the life of John Philip Sousa, who’s best known piece is, “The Stars and Stripes Forever”. She wrote it as if she was a reporter writing a piece for the newspaper during his lifetime. She won the local chapter of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution award. I had the chance to read it and wow, was it awesome!! Way to go to our sixth grade student, Petra!

DAUGHTER DANCE

Our annual Daughter Dance is happening this Saturday evening from 6:00-8:30 pm. I always love attending this event and watching everyone dance and having an amazing time! It is not too late to get your tickets for this fun evening, and you won’t be turned away if you show up at 6:00 pm on Saturday. Thanks to our wonderful CMEA group and parents volunteers for all their hard work in making this happen once again this year!

SPECIALS

Speaking of dancing, our students have been busy learning new dance moves in the gym as Ms. Mueller and Mr. Novak have combined classes to learn some dances to popular songs. I have loved visiting on several occasions to see them moving to the music. And both teachers are doing a wonderful job of teaching the students!!

EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANT SUBSTITUTES

Our fantastic Educational Assistants are occasionally out for various reasons. When this happens we are often scrambling to find coverage for the cafeteria and playground. We would love to have some parents become EA substitutes so when one of our EAs is out we can give you a call with the hopes that you can sub in our building for a few hours. This would be during our lunch block which is typically from 10:40-1:00. This substitute position is posted so you are encouraged to visit our DCSD website. Thank you and please let me know if you have any questions.

Thank you for spending a bit of time each week reading CME’s and CMEA’s blast!!

Steve

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Weekly News!

Link to CME Website

Link to CME B.A.S.E. Website

Link to My School Bucks

Attendance Line - 303-387-7377 - please call the attendance line if your child will be out

CLASS PICTURE DAY -

Place your order for a class group image today at mydorian.com. Search for your school's name, click the green "Order" button next to the Class Group Picture Day event, and place your order! Orders can be placed now and up to four (4) days after picture day. You can also find picture day date(s) and customer support at mydorian.com.

Wish Week Community Fair Tickets -

Pre order your ticket to the Mountain Vista's 2nd Annual Wish Week Community Fair! The Community Fair takes place on February 8th at Mountain Vista from 5 to 7 pm. There will be pizza, a spaghetti dinner, carnival games, and much more! MySchoolBucks Link

Choir Club will be back this February!

Cougar Singers

2nd - 6th Grade Choir Club

When: Tuesdays 7:30 am

Where: Downstairs (Choir Room)

Cost: $50

Dates: February 13 - May 30th

Here is the Thursday PM link:

https://www.myschoolbucks.com/ver2/prdembd?ref=ZZHVZS5TX305OUU_ZZ5RUZKILXYTQL8

And here is Tuesday AM:
https://www.myschoolbucks.com/ver2/prdembd?ref=ZZHVZS5TX305OUU_ZZ5VY7MJV37YXCE

Students will receive a choir T-shirt and will have the opportunity to perform in our Spring concert here at CME for our family and community. The Spring concert is Thursday, May 2nd at 6pm, and Friday May 3rd, at 9am.

CogAT Screening

DCSD is committed to implementing equitable practices to increase access to advanced/gifted learning opportunities. Based on state and national recommendations and requirements, we implement Universal Screening for students in 2nd grade (February).

2nd Grade Universal Screen

As part of this process, ALL students in 2nd grade not identified for gifted programming will take the Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT) the week of February 5th, 2024. This assessment indicates the level and pattern of cognitive development of a student in comparison to grade and age mates. These general reasoning abilities, which start developing at birth and continue through early adulthood, are influenced by experiences gained both in and out of school.

If your child is already identified for gifted programming, they will not participate in this universal screen testing. Your Gifted Education Facilitator will contact you directly with information about this process.

Kindergarten/ 1st Grade Gifted Identification Referral Testing

If your child is in K or 1st grade and you believe he/she needs evaluation for Gifted Identification and Services, you may refer your child for testing by initiating the Gifted Identification Process.
Please reach out to Heather Stinnett
NOTE: Requesting this assessment automatically initiates the process to evaluate for Gifted Identification.

Please request CogAT testing for your child by completing the Referral for Gifted Identification linked here.
Upon receipt of this form the Gifted Education Facilitator

February COGAT Testing/Universal Screening. Please reach out to Heather Stinnett with any questions.