Here's some information to keep you prepared for the weeks ahead! Please pay extra close attention to details concerning next week's field trip and concert!
Concert- Grades 5-8
We are so excited that the Fall 5-8 Band and Orchestra Concert is just under two weeks away. The students in each group have been working very hard to prepare their repertoire for the program, and I think they are sounding great! We will continue to work hard on refining our music before our program on November 20.
Just a reminder about the details of our concert:
Performance: Thursday, November 20 - 6:30pm @ Cascade Heights Gymnasium
Arrival Time: Please plan on arriving by 6:15pm. More details about which classroom each group will gather in to follow.
Dress Code: Concerts are a very special occasion. Children will always perform better and play more confidently when they know they look the part! Please see the guidelines below:
Girls - Dress pants and blouse or dresses are acceptable. Shoulders must be covered and dresses must reach knee length. Uniforms are also acceptable.
Boys - Dress slacks and a collared shirt are acceptable. Ties are welcome but not required. Uniforms are also acceptable.
Parking: Please arrive early to assure a parking space. If you need handicap access please park at the breezeway entrance and ring the bell to get to the ramp.
Field Trips- Nov. 20th is on, and Other Rescheduling
November Field Trip- Thursday, November 20th (Half Day)
Next week we will be going on a field trip to Reed College. This will tie into our upcoming study of energy and heat. Here is a rough itinerary:
8:00 a.m. - Depart CHPCS
8:30 a.m. Arrive at Reed, meet for tour in Chemistry Lobby
8:30 to 9:30 - Tour of nuclear reactor
9:30 to 10:30 - First Science Lab
10:30 to 11:00 - Snack Break / Debrief
11:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon - Second Science Lab
12:00 to 12:30 - Lunch
12:30 p.m. - Depart Reed College
1:00 p.m. - Arrive CHPCS / End Field Trip / Chaperones Dismissed
1:00 to 3:30 - Regular School Schedule; assign homework
3:30 p.m. - Class dismissed
December 17th (Wednesday)-
I have contacted all of our destinations and am attempting to solidify a re-scheduling of our field trip (Yay for buses showing up?). I have a few names down for tentativly joining us for a trip in December, and this would be it... if we can get it scheduled!
Here is our proposed itinerary:
8:00 a.m. - Arrive CHPCS
8:00 to 8:45 - Review of Greek/Roman art and architecture forms; field trip expectations and plan; easter eggs relate to future units of study
8:45 a.m. - Depart CHPCS
9:15 a.m. Arrive Portland Art Museum [ 1219 SW Park Ave Portland, OR 97205, http://www.portlandartmuseum.org/ ]
9:20 to 9:40 - Visit Greek plaster casts in Mark Building next door
9:45 to 10:45 - Docent guided tour of European Art exhibit with focus on Greek and Roman influences
10:45 to 11:00 - Bathroom Break
11:00 to 11:15 - Walk to Historic US Bank
11:20 to 11:40 - Private tour of Historic US Bank [ 309 SW 6th Ave #210 Portland, OR 97204, about:http://www.pdxhistory.com/html/portland_banks.html ]
11:40 to 12:30 - Walk back to Museum, eat lunch
12:30 p.m. - Depart downtown Portland
12:50 p.m. - Arrive at Hellenic American Cultural Center and Museum [ 3131 NE Glisan Street, Portland, Oregon, 97232, http://www.hellenicamericancc.org/
1:00 to 2:30 - Tour Hellenic Museum / Activities
2:30 p.m. - Depart Hellenic Museum
3:00 p.m. - Arrive CHPCS; review of day; assign homework
3:30 p.m. - Class dismissed
Change in Daily Schedule: Typing class, Silent Reading, Guided Reading affected
I have been forced to finally modify our daily schedule. We will be visiting the computer lab twice a week to begin typing practice. We will also substitute two weekly sessions of Guided Reading for Silent Reading. We will no have Guided Reading on Tuesday and Wednesday, and Silent Reading on Monday and Friday.
7th Grade requests cardboard donations:
The seventh grade class would like to do a project in which they will replicate a giant walking machine from the book, Leviathan. We have agreed that cardboard is the best material for this project and are asking for your help to collect enough. Anything you are able to donate is much appreciated.
Staying Organized: A helpful note from 7th grade:
"During our conferences last week many of you expressed concern about your student's ability to organize themselves. One of our parents shared a fantastic website with me that is full of apps that are particularly helpful for students with learning disabilities. I am here sharing the site with you because, learning disability or no, many people can benefit from these fantastic new programs."
http://www.inov8-ed.com/2013/12/theres-a-special-app-for-that-9-more-apps-to-improve-organizational-skills-for-students-with-learning-disabilities/
We hope you find something that works for you and your student!
CHPCS Winter Weather Policy: Winter Outdoor Recess Policy for Cascade Heights Public Charter School
It does get chilly in our part of the country, and students and families need to be prepared for it. Teachers will use the following guidelines and their own best judgment in ensuring your child is safe and relatively comfortable during the cold months of the year. You can do your part by sending your children to school with the following: coat, warm hat, gloves or mittens, scarf (ideal), warm boots (ideal). If you are unable to acquire the basics, please contact your child's teacher or Mrs. Denman, and we will happily help you.
Students need fresh air daily, and it helps reduce illness (being cooped up in a room with recycled air is the best way to spread germs), a bad case of the wiggles, and sleepy brains. As such, we will do our best to ensure daily fresh air for students, following the policy outlined below.
Please note:
• Frostbite CANNOT happen unless the ambient temperature (actual temperature+ windchill) falls below 32°F. Fingers may hurt, be cold and numb, but they are not frostbitten.
• Hypothermia can happen under a variety of temperatures and situations. Someone submerged in water that is 70°F for an extended period of time will succumb to hypothermia. Someone ill-equipped for the weather and left outside without movement at 20°F will eventually succumb to hypothermia. Students who wear coats (and possibly hats or hoods) at 35°F or so for 15-20 minutes, and who are (hopefully) moving, have no danger of hypothermia.
This policy was drafted taking into account average activity level, average recess time, and average regional temperatures for Portland, OR (the fact that our children are NOT used to the average temperatures of Fairbanks, AK was taken into account!
Not accounting for windchill factor:
Children will eat outdoors and may make the choice about coats, etc.: 41°F and above
Teachers will require the wearing of coats (for activity time of recess): 40°F and below
Teachers will require the wearing of a hat and gloves/mittens (students without will not participate in the activity): 35°F
Eating (snack and lunch) will occur indoors with outdoor recess following one of the below guidelines: 40°F and below
Normal outdoor recess: 26°F and above
Shortened outdoor recess (5 to 10 minutes): 18°F-25°F
Indoor recess: 18°F and below
What you can do to ensure your child's comfort and health with the above policy:
• Send them to school with a coat, hat, mittens/gloves, and scarf
• Tell them they must wear the coat, hat, mittens/gloves, and scarf
• Send them with plenty of quality-calorie food for snack and lunch, as well as fresh water
• Tell them about the children in Fairbanks, AK, who go out to recess like normal unless it's colder than -20°F!).
• Teach them how to zip or button their coats
Thank you for taking the time to stay informed! I'm sure I forgot something, but I'll let you get on with your day.
Concert- Grades 5-8
We are so excited that the Fall 5-8 Band and Orchestra Concert is just under two weeks away. The students in each group have been working very hard to prepare their repertoire for the program, and I think they are sounding great! We will continue to work hard on refining our music before our program on November 20.
Just a reminder about the details of our concert:
Performance: Thursday, November 20 - 6:30pm @ Cascade Heights Gymnasium
Arrival Time: Please plan on arriving by 6:15pm. More details about which classroom each group will gather in to follow.
Dress Code: Concerts are a very special occasion. Children will always perform better and play more confidently when they know they look the part! Please see the guidelines below:
Girls - Dress pants and blouse or dresses are acceptable. Shoulders must be covered and dresses must reach knee length. Uniforms are also acceptable.
Boys - Dress slacks and a collared shirt are acceptable. Ties are welcome but not required. Uniforms are also acceptable.
Parking: Please arrive early to assure a parking space. If you need handicap access please park at the breezeway entrance and ring the bell to get to the ramp.
Field Trips- Nov. 20th is on, and Other Rescheduling
November Field Trip- Thursday, November 20th (Half Day)
Next week we will be going on a field trip to Reed College. This will tie into our upcoming study of energy and heat. Here is a rough itinerary:
8:00 a.m. - Depart CHPCS
8:30 a.m. Arrive at Reed, meet for tour in Chemistry Lobby
8:30 to 9:30 - Tour of nuclear reactor
9:30 to 10:30 - First Science Lab
10:30 to 11:00 - Snack Break / Debrief
11:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon - Second Science Lab
12:00 to 12:30 - Lunch
12:30 p.m. - Depart Reed College
1:00 p.m. - Arrive CHPCS / End Field Trip / Chaperones Dismissed
1:00 to 3:30 - Regular School Schedule; assign homework
3:30 p.m. - Class dismissed
December 17th (Wednesday)-
I have contacted all of our destinations and am attempting to solidify a re-scheduling of our field trip (Yay for buses showing up?). I have a few names down for tentativly joining us for a trip in December, and this would be it... if we can get it scheduled!
Here is our proposed itinerary:
8:00 a.m. - Arrive CHPCS
8:00 to 8:45 - Review of Greek/Roman art and architecture forms; field trip expectations and plan; easter eggs relate to future units of study
8:45 a.m. - Depart CHPCS
9:15 a.m. Arrive Portland Art Museum [ 1219 SW Park Ave Portland, OR 97205, http://www.portlandartmuseum.org/ ]
9:20 to 9:40 - Visit Greek plaster casts in Mark Building next door
9:45 to 10:45 - Docent guided tour of European Art exhibit with focus on Greek and Roman influences
10:45 to 11:00 - Bathroom Break
11:00 to 11:15 - Walk to Historic US Bank
11:20 to 11:40 - Private tour of Historic US Bank [ 309 SW 6th Ave #210 Portland, OR 97204, about:http://www.pdxhistory.com/html/portland_banks.html ]
11:40 to 12:30 - Walk back to Museum, eat lunch
12:30 p.m. - Depart downtown Portland
12:50 p.m. - Arrive at Hellenic American Cultural Center and Museum [ 3131 NE Glisan Street, Portland, Oregon, 97232, http://www.hellenicamericancc.org/
1:00 to 2:30 - Tour Hellenic Museum / Activities
2:30 p.m. - Depart Hellenic Museum
3:00 p.m. - Arrive CHPCS; review of day; assign homework
3:30 p.m. - Class dismissed
Change in Daily Schedule: Typing class, Silent Reading, Guided Reading affected
I have been forced to finally modify our daily schedule. We will be visiting the computer lab twice a week to begin typing practice. We will also substitute two weekly sessions of Guided Reading for Silent Reading. We will no have Guided Reading on Tuesday and Wednesday, and Silent Reading on Monday and Friday.
7th Grade requests cardboard donations:
The seventh grade class would like to do a project in which they will replicate a giant walking machine from the book, Leviathan. We have agreed that cardboard is the best material for this project and are asking for your help to collect enough. Anything you are able to donate is much appreciated.
Staying Organized: A helpful note from 7th grade:
"During our conferences last week many of you expressed concern about your student's ability to organize themselves. One of our parents shared a fantastic website with me that is full of apps that are particularly helpful for students with learning disabilities. I am here sharing the site with you because, learning disability or no, many people can benefit from these fantastic new programs."
http://www.inov8-ed.com/2013/12/theres-a-special-app-for-that-9-more-apps-to-improve-organizational-skills-for-students-with-learning-disabilities/
We hope you find something that works for you and your student!
CHPCS Winter Weather Policy: Winter Outdoor Recess Policy for Cascade Heights Public Charter School
It does get chilly in our part of the country, and students and families need to be prepared for it. Teachers will use the following guidelines and their own best judgment in ensuring your child is safe and relatively comfortable during the cold months of the year. You can do your part by sending your children to school with the following: coat, warm hat, gloves or mittens, scarf (ideal), warm boots (ideal). If you are unable to acquire the basics, please contact your child's teacher or Mrs. Denman, and we will happily help you.
Students need fresh air daily, and it helps reduce illness (being cooped up in a room with recycled air is the best way to spread germs), a bad case of the wiggles, and sleepy brains. As such, we will do our best to ensure daily fresh air for students, following the policy outlined below.
Please note:
• Frostbite CANNOT happen unless the ambient temperature (actual temperature+ windchill) falls below 32°F. Fingers may hurt, be cold and numb, but they are not frostbitten.
• Hypothermia can happen under a variety of temperatures and situations. Someone submerged in water that is 70°F for an extended period of time will succumb to hypothermia. Someone ill-equipped for the weather and left outside without movement at 20°F will eventually succumb to hypothermia. Students who wear coats (and possibly hats or hoods) at 35°F or so for 15-20 minutes, and who are (hopefully) moving, have no danger of hypothermia.
This policy was drafted taking into account average activity level, average recess time, and average regional temperatures for Portland, OR (the fact that our children are NOT used to the average temperatures of Fairbanks, AK was taken into account!
Not accounting for windchill factor:
Children will eat outdoors and may make the choice about coats, etc.: 41°F and above
Teachers will require the wearing of coats (for activity time of recess): 40°F and below
Teachers will require the wearing of a hat and gloves/mittens (students without will not participate in the activity): 35°F
Eating (snack and lunch) will occur indoors with outdoor recess following one of the below guidelines: 40°F and below
Normal outdoor recess: 26°F and above
Shortened outdoor recess (5 to 10 minutes): 18°F-25°F
Indoor recess: 18°F and below
What you can do to ensure your child's comfort and health with the above policy:
• Send them to school with a coat, hat, mittens/gloves, and scarf
• Tell them they must wear the coat, hat, mittens/gloves, and scarf
• Send them with plenty of quality-calorie food for snack and lunch, as well as fresh water
• Tell them about the children in Fairbanks, AK, who go out to recess like normal unless it's colder than -20°F!).
• Teach them how to zip or button their coats
Thank you for taking the time to stay informed! I'm sure I forgot something, but I'll let you get on with your day.