Other Areas

CCPS Gifted and Talented

The CCPS Advanced Academics (G/T) Program is designed to meet the needs of highly able learners and maximize student achievement. Advanced Academics teachers, in collaboration with classroom instructors, will continue to provide a continuum of instructional options designed to meet the needs of highly able learners and students identified as possessing gifted learning traits. This may include in-class extended instruction, pullout enrichment groups, and/or advanced resource development with classroom teachers. A Referral and Review Team, as well as collaboration with classroom teachers, will determine student eligibility for advanced instructional options. Indicators for participation include observational checklists, standardized test scores, work samples, and classroom performance. Although students are not typically, formally identified until the beginning of third grade, Advanced Academics teachers will continue to provide a range of services for grades K-5. Look for more information about the program to come home throughout the school year.

Primary thinking skills (PTS) lessons are implemented in all Pre-K through Grade 2 classrooms. The advanced academic specialist will work with Pre-K through Grade 2 teachers several times during the school year to facilitate PTS lessons that expose all students to higher level thinking skills. These lessons utilize elements of Primary Education Thinking Skills (PETS), a program published by Pieces of Learning, and approved for use by CCPS. The lessons serve as a diagnostic tool for recognizing students who demonstrate strengths in the thinking skills presented. PTS lessons focus on skills such as:

• Analytical/analogous thinking
• Visual/spatial thinking
• Logical/deductive thinking
• Divergent/inventive thinking

If you have any questions or want more information, please reach out via phone or email, or check out G&T/Advanced Academic Programs on the CCPS website.

ART NEWS

All grades have been learning about and utilizing lines to create artwork. Some classes are finishing up a large LINE self- portrait. These pictures are designed to be hung together in a large cooperative abstract art piece. So far, they are looking amazing. Some classes are exploring line by drawing lines on strips of papers and making a snake out of the paper coils. If your little person at home seems obsessed with making paper chains lately, art class is most likely to blame.

Kindergarteners are learning about lines and line directions and having lots of fun exploring the topic through line stations in art class. Future topics include mixed media collage and an artist study on Yayoi Kusama. We are sad to say Kusama passed away earlier this year at the age of 97. But we can still celebrate and enjoy her art. To do that we will be using paint which may or may not stain clothes depending on the fabric. Please send your little artist to school with a smock or an old shirt to wear over their clothes. I explained to students that artists get inspired by experiences and things around them and shared with them my recent experience of hanging out with some Capybaras.

If they mentioned they wanted to that as well, that is probably my fault 😀. Art class is looking to be lots of fun this year! ~ Ms. Crum-Derr

In Ms. Dieter's classes the following topics are being taught:

Pre-K- learning colors and color mixing

Kindergarten- different types of lines and create silly line monster crayon resist

1st Grade- Cave Art (this is their favorite art project of the year)

2nd- oil pastel Night Owls

3rd Grade- Aboriginal Dot Paintings

4th- Neurographic Art

5th- Zentangle Sea Animals

HEALTH NEWS

Elementary Health Education is taught sequentially each year to all PreK - 5th grade students.  Health is considered a special area subject where students in grades 1 - 5 receive one hour of instruction each week.  PreK and Kindergarten receive 30 minutes of health instruction each week.

Health skills that students will develop include analyzing influences, accessing valid information, interpersonal communication, decision-making, goal setting, self-management, and advocacy for self and others.

Health classes provide the opportunity to acquire accurate information and develop positive attitudes and behavior patterns to encourage a healthy lifestyle.

Family Life Preview Night

Parents will have the opportunity to view the Family Life curriculum on Wednesday, October 14th from 4:00-6:00 in the portables behind the school. Fourth and Fifth grade parents will have the opportunity to also preview the Health Family Life/Puberty videos on this night.

Times are as follows:

4:00-6:00 - all grades may come view family life lessons (portable 1A)

4:00-4:15 – 4th grade girls puberty video preview (portable 1B)

4:20-4:35 – 5th grade girls puberty video preview (portable 1B)

4:40-4:55 - 4th grade boys puberty video preview (portable 1B)

5:00-5:15 - 5th grade boys puberty video preview (portable 1B)

Parents may report directly to the portable and are not required to check-in at the main office.

NEWS FROM THE MUSIC ROOM

All students in 1^st-5^th grade will receive one hour of music instruction per week. PK students will receive 30 minutes.

Students learn sequential and cumulative knowledge of music concepts that include beat, rhythm, pitch, melody, tone color/instrumentation and music expression. We teach these concepts in fun and engaging ways by singing, listening and performing to music with games, instruments and movement.

At the end of third grade, students begin learning how to play the recorder. The recorder is a wonderful beginning instrument that is affordable and relatively easy to play. Students will use these recorders to continue their music instruction in fourth and fifth grade. Our goal is to develop confident musicians that can independently read and perform age-appropriate music by the time they leave in fifth grade.

PHYSICAL EDUCATION NEWS

Physical Education Restrictions

If your child is injured and cannot participate in PE for 3 days or less, a parent letter to the school will be sufficient. However, if the injury is serious or the activity restriction is longer than 3 days, a letter from the health care provider must be provided to school. If the letter does not include a return to full activity date, then the child will need a release note from the doctor for him/her to return to physical education classes. If your child requires the use of crutches, a walker, scooter or wheelchair during school a doctor’s note must be provided to allow them to use these devices in school.

LSE Health and PE teachers