Welcome to Collegium Charter School's weekly multimedia Newsletter. Access our Newsletter content by scrolling through to the end, just like you would for popular social media feeds and timelines.
Due to Winter Break, we will not share a CCS Newsletter for the weeks of December 23rd or December 30th. Instead, we'll share several items and announcements with families and employees via a text-based email message on Sunday, January 5th. Our multimedia Newsletter will return with the January 13th edition.
CCS Family Calendar
Mon., Dec. 16th, Day 4
- CMS and 500 Building: Cycle B
- Athletics Department SCORE! Card Fundraiser Begins | See Basketball Student-Athletes To Purchase SCORE! Cards (Sales End Friday, December 20th)
- Girls MS V Basketball vs. Owen J. Roberts 3:30pm - 4:30pm @ Owen J. Roberts Middle School
- 150 Building: Grades 1-2 STEM Video Design Club | Room 971 3:45pm - 5:00pm
- Boys 8th Grade Basketball vs. Owen J. Roberts MS | Gym 4:00pm - 5:30pm @ 500 Building
- Girls MS JV Basketball vs. Owen J. Roberts 4:30pm - 5:30pm @ Owen J. Roberts Middle School
- Boys 7th Grade Basketball vs. Owen J. Roberts | Gym 5:00pm - 6:00pm @ 500 Building
Tues., Dec. 17th, Day 5
- CMS and 500 Building: Cycle B
- National Elementary Honor Society: Operation Lifting Spirits 9:30am - 11:30am @ 500 Building
- Grades 9-12: Detention | Designated Classroom 3:00pm - 4:30pm @ 515 Building (HS)
- Grades 9-12: GSA Club Meeting | Cafeteria 3:00pm - 4:00pm @ 515 Building (HS)
- Grades 9-12: CCS Morning News Meeting | Mac Lab 3:15pm - 4:15pm @ 515 Building (HS)
- Girls MS V Basketball vs. Lionville MS | Gym 3:30pm - 4:30pm @ 535 Building (MS)
- 150 Building: Grades 3-4 Robotics Team Meeting | Innovation Lab Room 971 3:45pm - 5:00pm
- 150 Building: Junior Artists Club (Session 2) | Room 908 4:00pm - 5:00pm
- Girls MS JV Basketball vs. Lionville MS | Gym 4:30pm - 5:30pm @ 535 Building (MS)
- Boys JV Basketball vs. Delaware County Christian 5:30pm - 6:30pm @ Delaware County Christian
- Girls V Basketball vs. Morrisville HS | Gym 6:30pm - 7:30pm @ 535 Building (MS)
- Boys V Basketball vs. Delaware County Christian 7:00pm - 8:30pm @ Delaware County Christian
Wed., Dec. 18th, Day 6
- CMS and 500 Building: Cycle B
- 150 Building 3rd Grade Field Trip (A) | Barr, Frame, Snyder Classrooms 8:45am - 2:15pm @ The Franklin Institute
- 500 Building: 6th Grade Heritage Fair - Martin, Mummert, Grabowski, Allison, DeCarolis, Maccario Classrooms | Gym 1:30pm - 2:15pm
- 500 Building: Advancing Artists Club (Session 2) | Room 207 4:20pm - 5:20pm
- Grades 7-8: Middle School Winter Concert | Gym and Music Rooms 7:00pm - 9:00pm @ 500 Building
Thurs., Dec. 19th, Day 1
- CMS and 500 Building: Cycle A
- CougarTek Esports Team Meeting | Level13 eSports Gaming Center | Time TBD @ Level13 eSports Gaming Center
- 150 Building: 3rd Grade Field Trip (B) | McKlindon, Staszak, Zinszer Classrooms 8:45am - 2:15pm @ The Franklin Institute
- Grades 9-12: Art Field Trip 8:45am - 2:30pm @ Brandywine River Museum of Art
- 500 Building: 6th Grade Heritage Fair - Jackson, Charney, Nemic, Brady, Capriotti, Ferrer Classrooms00 Building: 6th Grade Heritage Fair (Team B) | Gym 1:30pm - 2:15pm
- Grades 9-12: Detention | Designated Classroom 3:00pm - 4:30pm @ 515 Building (HS)
- CougarTek Esports Team Meeting | Technology Lab (Room 705) 3:30pm - 5:30pm @ 535 Building (MS)
- Boys 7th Grade Basketball vs. Episcopal Academy 3:45pm - 4:45pm @ Episcopal Academy
- Boys 8th Grade Basketball vs. Episcopal Academy 3:45pm - 4:45pm @ Episcopal Academy
- 150 Building: Little Artists Club (Session 2) | Room 908 4:00pm - 5:00pm
- Board of Trustees: Work Session | Conference Room 6:00pm @ 435 Building (Admin. Offices)
- Board of Trustees: Regular Public Meeting | Conference Room 7:00pm @ 435 Building (Admin. Offices)
- Grades 9-12: High School Winter Concert | Gym and Music Rooms 7:00pm - 9:00pm @ 500 Building
Fri., Dec. 20th, Day 2
- CMS and 500 Building: Cycle A
- Athletics Department SCORE! Card Fundraiser Ends | See Basketball Student-Athletes To Purchase SCORE! Cards (Sales Began Monday, December 16th)
- Grades 9-12: Pulsera Sales End (Began Monday, December 9th) Sponsored by Spanish Honor Society (During HS Lunches) @ 515 Building (HS)
- Grades K-12: Cougar Pride Day - Wear Your Cougar Gear W/ Uniform Bottoms or Jeans
- Grades K-12: 20th Anniversary December Celebration | Ugly Sweater Day for Students and Staff (Not Holiday-Related) W/ Uniform Bottoms or Jeans
- Grades 9-12: High School Music Department Nursing Home Performances Field Trip 9:00am - 2:15pm
- Boys JV Basketball vs. Calvary Christian Academy | Gym 5:00pm - 6:00pm @ 535 Building (MS)
- Boys V Basketball vs. Calvary Christian Academy | Gym 7:00pm - 8:30pm @ 535 Building (MS)
- Girls V Basketball vs. Dock Mennonite Academy 7:00pm - 8:30pm @ Dock Mennonite Academy
Sat., Dec. 21st
- High School Detention | Designated Classroom 8:00am - 11:00am @ 515 Building (HS)
- Girls V Basketball vs. Sun Valley HS | Gym 1:00pm - 2:30pm @ 535 Building (MS)
- Boys V Basketball vs. Downingtown East HS | Gym 2:45pm - 4:15pm @ Unionville High School
20th Anniversary Ugly Sweater Day
Attention All K-12 CCS Staff and Students
On Friday, December 20th, CCS will hold a 20th Anniversary Celebration, Ugly Sweater Day! We're putting our own spin on the ugly sweater by encouraging students and staff to decorate sweaters with school and CCS-related items. All items should be safe, school-appropriate, and not holiday-related. Ideas include crayons, paper clips, bookmarks, Post-its, and similar items.
Collegium's Ugly Sweater Day is a chance for everyone at CCS to have some extra fun on the last day before our Winter Break. It will also be a day when students and staff talk about what makes CCS special and how we all work together to fulfill our Mission and Vision Statements.
Friday, December 20th, is also a Cougar Pride Day. Students are free to wear an ugly sweater or Cougar Gear. Uniform bottoms or jeans should be worn with either option.
Explore STEM Over Winter Break
Looking for something different and fun to do over Winter Break? Take some time to explore the questions you have about Science, Technology, Math, and Engineering (STEM). You could come up with a winning entry for our Science/STEM Fair on January 22, 2020!
To get started, families can talk about some of the why, which, and how questions they have about STEM-related topics. For instance:
- Which paper towel brand is the strongest?
- What’s the best way to keep cut flowers fresh the longest?
- Which soda decays teeth fastest (and makes teeth fall out of their owners' heads!)
- How do stalagmites and stalactites form?
- How does the temperature of a tennis ball affect the height of its bounce?
- Which nail polish best resists chipping?
- How will adding different flavors of Kool-Aid® to water affect the water’s boiling point?
- What materials allow a marble to travel the most distance?
It’s not hard to put your Winter Break adventure into a presentation for the STEM/Science Fair. Take a look at the information and guidelines shared on CCS’s Science Fair website to see how it’s done. You can access the website using the button below.
Express your individuality and help us learn something new by participating in CCS’s STEM/Science Fairs! There will be two Fairs on Wednesday, January 22nd, including one Fair for Kindergarteners and a second Fair for students in 1st through 12th Grades.
Mrs. High, who coordinates the Fairs, would love to hear what you’re thinking of doing and answer your questions. Email her using the button below.
CCS Basketball Program SCORE! Card Fundraiser
Want the chance to win big in January? CCS’s Basketball Program is selling SCORE! cards to raise funds for equipment, uniforms, transportation, and other program needs.
SCORE! cards cost only $10.00 each and will be sold by Basketball student-athletes between Monday, December 16th and Friday, December 20th. Cash and other prizes will range in value from $20.00 to $50.00. Students and families who buy SCORE! cards will automatically be entered every day in January. That’s 31 chances to be randomly selected for a prize! Even better, there will be weekly bonus prizes of Cougar Gear items.
See any of our Basketball student-athletes to purchase your SCORE! Card. Each player has a limited number of cards to sell between Monday, December 16th and Friday, December 20th!
Email Coach Jones using the button below if you have questions about this fun fundraiser. Thank you for your support of our growing Basketball Program.
Recap: 2020-2021 New Student Enrollment Open House
CCS kicked off our 2020-2021 New Student Enrollment last Saturday with an Enrollment Open House for prospective families. Dozens of families and children visited our 468 and 486 Buildings to tour classrooms, speak with the nearly 100 K-12 CCS Administrators, Teachers, and Staff who attended, and learn about our New Student Enrollment process, Transportation logistics, Student Services, Child Care programs, and more.
Children attending the event explored robotics, role-played as CCS Morning News broadcast performers, played with musical instruments, enjoyed live music performances from High School student-musicians, worked on art activities, and visited with Meribel, our 500 Building’s service dog in training.
There were many other opportunities for prospective families to watch CCS and our uniqueness in action. For instance, Mr. Ted Sterious, CMS Principal, knew of a current CCS student who needed help with math. He arranged for the student to meet him at our Open House, where he was able to spend time with the student to help. “Even though I’m a Principal, teaching is my passion,” said Mr. Sterious. “I teach students academics, social skills… anything that will help them grow to be confident and productive members of society. I know that this is the philosophy of all CCS educators regarding our students, their wellbeing, and success.”
Our 2020-2021 New Student Enrollment is now in full swing and will continue through Friday, January 17, 2020, at 4:00 PM*. We encourage interested families to submit their children’s Enrollment forms early so that we can work with them to ensure they’re complete. New Student Enrollment forms for 2020-2021 are accessible at the “Get Started!” button on our New Student Enrollment Page. Access the page at the button provided below.
We are grateful to all of our CCS employees who volunteered at the Enrollment Open House. Thank you for helping to make it a wonderful experience for our prospective families.
*Note: CCS will be on Winter Break beginning on Monday, December 23rd. School will resume on Monday, January 6, 2020. Enrollment submissions will not be processed over Winter Break. Completed Enrollment submissions and related documents are due by January 17, 2020, at 4:00 PM. Exceptions to enrollment deadlines are not considered.
Spanish Honor Society Selling Pulseras For "Color The World" Initiative
Until Friday, December 20th, Collegium High School’s Spanish Honor Society (SHS) will sell pulseras (handwoven bracelets) to benefit The Pulsera Project’s “Color the World” initiative.
The Pulsera Project (the Project) is a non-profit organization formed to create a just and colorful world by encouraging conscious consumerism and social enterprise. Through its Color the World initiative, the Project brings beautiful pulseras into U.S. schools, where student and teacher volunteers sell them. Proceeds of the sales help support Fair Trade jobs, workers' rights, sustainability, and education in Central America.
SHS members learn (and share!) a lot of information about Central American culture, lives, and struggles through their involvement in the Color the World Initiative.
Pulsera Order Forms were distributed to our students in Kindergarten through 8th Grade. CCS students and staff may also purchase pulseras during lunches in the 515 (High School) Building through Friday, December 20th. Pulseras cost $5.00 each. Additionally, purses are available for sale at $10.00 each. For more information about The Pulsera Project, please view the video below.
Questions? Email our Spanish Honor Society Advisors, Mrs. Rogai or Mr. González.
K-6 Lost And Found Clean-Out
CCS’s Elementary Buildings (150, 468/486, and 500) will clean out their overflowing Lost and Found collections this Thursday, December 19th!
Please have your child check their building's Lost and Found for their missing items. Parents/guardians are also invited to visit the Lost and Found to look for their children’s lost property. Just come to the building’s Main Office between 9:00 AM and 3:00 PM and speak with your Building Receptionist.
All unclaimed Lost and Found items remaining in our 150, 468/486, and 500 Buildings after Thursday, December 19th will be donated to the CCS Uniform Resale Shop or a local charity.
Middle School Field Trip Reminders
7th Grade National Aquarium Field Trip Deadlines
Collegium Middle School’s (CMS) 7th Grade Field Trip to the National Aquarium in Baltimore, MD is scheduled for Friday, April 3, 2020. The Field Trip will also include a Baltimore Harbor Cruise.
Permission Slips and information letters have been sent home with students. Additional forms are available from any of our 7th Grade Teachers or by accessing the button below.
If your child wishes to participate in the 7th Grade Field Trip to the National Aquarium, CMS must receive a completed and signed Permission Slip for them by Monday, January 27, 2020, at 3:00 PM. The $50.00 Field Trip payment is also due at that time. If needed, payment schedules may be arranged through Mrs. Barrett, our 535 (Middle School) Building Receptionist.
Note that all participating students’ Magnus Health records must be completed one week before the Field Trip, or by Monday, January 20, 2020, if they’re to participate. Students whose Magnus Health records have not been completed will not be able to join the Field Trip.
Use the button below to contact Mrs. Barrett with questions.
8th Grade Field Trip to Washington, D.C.
At the end of November, we sent our 8th Grade students home with information letters and Permission Slips regarding our 8th Grade Field Trip to Washington, D.C. The Field Trip is scheduled for Thursday, May 28, 2020.
If your child wants to participate in our 8th Grade Field Trip, your first payment of $25.00 is due this Friday, December 20th, along with a completed, signed Permission Slip. Please email Mrs. Natalie Wallace if you have questions about the Field Trip, payment schedule, or Permission Slip.
Apply Now: 2020-2021 Advanced Placement Classes
Collegium High School’s (CHS) Counseling Department held Interest Meetings the last few weeks for 8th-11th Grade students interested in applying for 2020-2021 Advanced Placement (AP) courses. The meetings were organized by grade level and gave students the chance to pick up applications and ask questions about CHS AP Courses and the application process.
Students who were not able to attend the Interest Meetings or who still have questions can stop by either Mrs. Whalen’s Office in the CHS Counseling Corner or Collegium Middle School’s Counseling Office. Counseling Office staff can answer questions, talk about the different AP Courses, and provide students with additional AP Course Applications. An Application must be completed for each AP Course students wish to take.
Important reminders about AP Course eligibility and Applications:
- To be considered for AP Courses, students must have completed the PSAT and have at least 90% in their current College Prep course or 85% in their current Honors course.
- A separate AP Course Application must be submitted to each subject area teacher (current) for any subject a student wishes to pursue next school year through an AP Course.
- Before students submit their AP Course Applications to their current subject area teachers, Section 1 of the Application must be completed, and the Application must be signed by a parent/guardian.
For more information about CHS AP Courses, feel free to email your child’s School Counselor with questions and/or visit the CHS Counseling Department’s website using the buttons below.
Obtaining Approval For Planned Absences
Will your child be absent from school because your family is taking a trip, visiting relatives, or scheduling college visits? Students may be excused from school for up to five (5) days for planned absences provided approval for the absences is obtained at least two weeks in advance from your building Principal.
To request approval, please submit a completed Request for Approval of Planned Absence Form to your building Principal at least ten (10) days prior to the first date of absence. Requests received after the absence has occurred will not be considered. The Request for Approval of Planned Absence Form is accessible at the button below.
If you have questions regarding this Form or the submission process, use the button provided to email CCS’s Attendance Office. Questions regarding decisions should be directed to your building Principal.
Tip Resources From The West Whiteland Police Department
Collegium maintains a strong and trusting partnership with the West Whiteland Police Department (WWPD). Together, we encourage all Collegium students, staff, and parents/guardians to contact the WWPD with any information they feel should be investigated.
The WWPD has a dedicated email address and phone number for the public to provide information quickly and directly to the WWPD.
The email address and phone line above are monitored by the WWPD Criminal Investigation Unit. If you have information about suspected criminal activity, we encourage you to contact the WWPD using the email address, or by leaving a voicemail message on the WWPD Tip Line. Everyone utilizing the phone number or email address can remain anonymous if they wish.
If your concerns are specific to the Collegium campus, please also contact your Building Principal(s):
Collegium's Main Number
Extensions For Our Buildings' Main Offices
- 150 Building: Ext. 6811
- 435 Building: Ext. 6002
- 468 Building: Ext. 6401
- 486 Building: Ext. 6501
- 500 Building: Ext. 6106
- 515 Building (HS): Ext. 6300
- 535 Building (MS): Ext. 6602
Collegium reserves the right to edit submissions and deny material for submission if it is deemed to be inappropriate or of little or no interest to CCS families.