Welcome to Collegium Charter School's weekly digital Newsletter. Access our Newsletter content by scrolling through to the end, just like you would for popular social media feeds and timelines.
CCS Family Calendar
Mon., Sep. 3rd
- School Closed - Labor Day
Tue., Sep. 4th - Day 5
- Grades K-6: Home & School Association KidStuff Coupon Book Fundraiser Begins (Ends Monday, September 17th)
- 515 Mesh Backpack and Mesh Tote Sales Begin (Ends Friday, September 14th) | Sponsored by NHS
- 535 Detention 3:00pm - 4:30pm @ 535 Building
- Grades 7-12: "Our Town" Auditions | 515 Building Auditorium 3:30pm - 6:00pm @ 515 Building
- 150 Building Little Artists Club (Session 1) | Room 827 4:00pm - 5:00pm @ 150 Building
- Junior Artists Club (Session 1) | Room 515 4:00pm - 5:00pm @ 468/486 Building
Wed., Sep. 5th - Day 6
- 535 and 500 Buildings: School Picture Day
- 150 Building Junior Artists Club (Session 1) | Room 908 4:00pm - 5:00pm @ 150 Building
- 500 Building Advancing Artists Club (Session 1) | Room 228 4:00pm - 5:00pm @ 500 Building
- Little Artists Club (Session 1) | Room 518 4:00pm - 5:00pm @ 468/486 Building
- Home & School Association Meeting | 535 Cafeteria 4:30pm @ 535 Building
- Grades 9-12: Back-to-School Night 6:00pm - 8:00pm @ 535 Building
Thu., Sep. 6th - Day 1
- 515 and 468/486 Buildings: School Picture Day
- 535 Detention 3:00pm - 4:30pm @ 535 Building
- Grades 7-8: Back-to-School Night 6:00pm - 8:00pm @ 515 Building
Fri., Sep. 7th - Day 2
- 150 Building: School Picture Day
- Employees and Seniors: College T-Shirt Day | All Buildings
- Grades 9-12: CCS Morning News Anchor Auditions 3:30pm-4:30pm | Mac Lab @ 535 Building
What's New in CCS Food Service?
The Food Service Department is happy to share some new and exciting changes it made over summer break that are helping them better serve CCS students!
"We’re now able to increase service times and offer more choices for breakfast and lunch service.”
With the support of CCS’s Technology Department, brand new touchscreen point-of-sale (POS) computers were purchased, along with additional PIN pads, for each cafeteria. This allows for multiple registers at each POS location. Thank you, Technology Department!
Mike Ely, Director of CCS Food Service, pointed out that “The Food Service Department also added hot food lines in the 150 and 486 Building cafeterias. We’re now able to increase service times and offer more choices for breakfast and lunch service.”
“We’ve also noticed that the kids have some additional time to hang out with their friends during the lunch period. It’s amazing what a difference technology can make!”
CCS cafeteria menus have changed, too. Hershey's Ice Cream is now offered for Á La Carte purchases in the 500, 515, and 535 cafeterias. And new Hot Pretzel machines have also been added—the students are already loving this option! Our Middle and High School students can now use their Food Service Accounts to purchase Á La Carte food items. Last, but not least, we’ve added hot and cold Meal of the Day options to all menus, along with a vegetarian salad option. Nutritional and Allergen information will continue to be available for all monthly menus this year.
The enhanced technology has helped the Food Service Department increase its service times and efficiency. “We’re already seeing many more students enjoying nutritious breakfasts and lunches every day at CCS thanks to the menu changes, updated technology, and PIN pads,” said Mr. Ely. “We’ve also noticed that the kids have some additional time to hang out with their friends during the lunch period. It’s amazing what a difference technology can make!”
Mr. Ely and his staff thank you for supporting the Food Service Department. They look forward to serving CCS students, one nutritious plate at a time!
2nd Annual Hispanic Heritage Festival
Save The Date
Our 2nd Annual Hispanic Heritage Festival is scheduled for Saturday, September 22nd from 11:00am until 3:00pm, rain or shine!
Bring your family, friends, and neighbors to enjoy music performances by CCS students and Herencia Jibara, face painting, games, dancing, food trucks, local vendors, community resources, and more!
Email Mrs. Tobin for more information. Hope to see you there!
Vendors Wanted
The 500 Building Diversity Committee is looking for vendors to participate in our 2nd Annual Hispanic Heritage Festival on Saturday, September 22nd.
This is open to direct sales businesses (one representative per company), makers of handmade items, food vendors, and other community businesses.
If you would like more information or are interested in participating, please email Mrs. Tobin.
515 Mesh Backpack And Mesh Tote Sales
The National Junior Honor Society (NJHS) is selling backpacks and tote bags for 515 Building students. Mesh backpacks and totes can be worn throughout the school day and are an excellent way to help students stay organized. All proceeds go toward 2018-2019 NJHS activities.
Order Forms will be distributed in homerooms and can be returned to Mr. Kelley in the 515 Building. Sales end Friday, September 14th. Order yours today! Questions? Email Mr. Kelley.
High School Fitness Testing
This week, Collegium students in Grades 9-12 will be permitted to wear their PE uniforms all week (whether or not they have PE) in order to complete physical fitness testing.
Why are we testing fitness? High School Health & Physical Education Teachers Mr. Prieto and Ms. Shehan are working toward a goal: Encourage healthy lifestyles and increase fitness levels for 535 Building students.
Please direct questions or concerns to Mr. Prieto (shown in photo) or Ms. Shehan. Thank you for your support!
Ketchup Sundaes—What’s That All About?
Recently, Ronald McDonald House posted a video of CCS 515 Building staff members—led by Middle School Technology Teacher Harvey Scribner—eating ketchup sundaes. What’s that all about?
“I participated in the #CoachesChallenge because both of my nephews in Florida, and my niece in Michigan, were supported by Ronald McDonald House charities...."
The ketchup sundae, or #CoachesChallenge, went viral when Dick Vermeil, former Head Coach of the Philadelphia Eagles, challenged Head Coach Doug Pederson to eat Pederson’s favorite vanilla ice cream with ketchup. Mr. Scribner and his team, in turn, challenged the entire CCS Community to participate in the challenge.
The #CoachesChallenge is very personal to Mr. Scribner. He shared, “I participated in the #CoachesChallenge because both of my nephews in Florida, and my niece in Michigan, were supported by Ronald McDonald House charities and stayed at Ronald McDonald Houses throughout their recoveries from ongoing, severe medical issues.” The effort also exemplifies CCS’s active involvement in our local community. And the Eagles are involved, too! Fly, Eagles, Fly!
To find out more about #CoachesChallenge, and to see Mr. Scribner's video, visit the Ronald McDonald House Philadelphia links below.
Education Explained: Looking Forward, While Honoring Our Past
Each week, CCS Administrators highlight common terms and philosophies in education, and explain how they impact teaching and learning at Collegium. This week's contribution comes from Dr. Rath, Collegium's CEO.
Collegium Charter School is proud to be in its 19th year! Next September, we will celebrate our 20th year of operation. The photos here are from our very first day in September 1999.
Since opening our doors, CCS’s mission has been to be a school that brings out the best in every child. Our staff, students, and families have worked extremely hard to accomplish that goal! Along the way, the CCS Community—parents/guardians, teachers, administrators, staff, and students—have become extensions of our own families. Together, we encourage and support the academic, social, and emotional growth of our children.
CCS’s 20th year is a milestone that provides an opportunity to both reflect on our past and look forward to our future. We have an exemplary track record of doing the impossible. The world is an ever-changing place, however, and we must remain mindful that we cannot relax or become complacent. Instead, CCS must move forward to consider what the next 20 years will bring for our charter school and for education. What will CCS look like in 2039? More importantly, what do we want CCS to look like in five years, and how do we plan to make that vision a reality?
As we prepare this year for our 20th-year celebrations, the CCS Administration, Board of Trustees, and I will be reaching out to you for your thoughts and suggestions. We want to hear how you think we can further CCS’s position as a leading charter school, and “The SMART CHOICE in Public Education” for our students and families. Please look for the many opportunities to participate in dialogues on how to build on our success, strengthen our communications and relationships, better engage your children in learning, and other important matters. We will also look to the CCS Community to help develop our 20th-anniversary events!
Looking back, our school has accomplished great things for tremendous people—your children! Looking forward, we continue to recognize and acknowledge the gifts of growth, support, and family. Be a part of our community by volunteering at your child’s building, attending our HSA and Board of Trustees meetings and, most importantly, supporting your children in their schoolwork and activities.
I am honored and humbled to be the CEO of such a wonderful organization. I personally thank you for your support and trust in our school.
Collegium Employee Spotlight: Andre Revnell
This Newsletter section highlights one Collegium employee each week, and allows families and students to get to know them better. Now, when you see featured employees on campus, you will be better able to greet them by name and strike up conversations!
Watch the video below to learn more about Andre Revnell, Emotional Support Instructional Assistant at Collegium Charter School.
K-12 School Picture Days
Our School Picture Day schedule is below. Order Forms were sent home with students last week. While all students will have their photos taken, only those students who have their Order Forms and payment (or proof of online payment) will be able to purchase photos. You can also find the Order Forms on our website's homepage and as links within this article.
- 535 Building: Wednesday, September 5th
- 500 Building: Wednesday, September 5th
- 515 Building: Thursday, September 6th
- 468/486 Building: Thursday, September 6th
- 150 Building: Friday, September 7th
If a student forgets the Order Form or is absent, their photo can be taken on a Picture Retake Day to be scheduled later this fall.
Students wear their CCS uniforms for their pictures. If a student’s picture day is on a PE (Gym) day, it's okay for the student to be in the regular CCS uniform and not the PE uniform.
Class photos are an option for Grades K-6. Note that class photos will not be delivered with your child's picture order as class photos are compilation photos, not group photos. Class photos will be sent home in or about February, after all students' photos and photo retakes are complete.
The Den: Collegium's Newest Child Care Program
Collegium is excited to introduce a new recreation-based after-school program, called "The Den," for our students in Grades 7 and 8. The Den will operate after each school day from 3:30pm to 5:30pm in our 515 Building. Ms. LaNae Horsey, Director of Collegium's Child Care programs (Before/After-School Care and Camp Collegium) will supervise the team of CCS Middle and High School employees who serve as The Den's staff.
Watch the video below to see Ms. Horsey proudly announce The Den. Then access the registration link to learn even more about the program.
Questions? Email Ms. Horsey.
Upcoming CCST Auditions
Collegium Center Stage Theatre (CCST) will present Thornton Wilder's beloved Our Town on Thursday through Saturday evenings, October 18th, 19th, and 20th.
Auditions for our production will be held on Tuesday, September 4th from 3:30pm until 6:00pm in the 515 Building Auditorium. Auditions are open to all students in Grades 7-12.
For more information about how to audition for this production, please visit the CCST website via the link below.
If you have questions, email Ms. Stell.
Attendance Reminder
If your child is absent, please call 610-903-1300, and choose Option 1 to let us know. You must also send a signed excuse note with your child on the day he/she returns to school.
Home & School Association (HSA) Updates
Serving in a capacity similar to a Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) or Parent-Teacher Organization (PTO), our HSA owes its success to the efforts of our many parent, teacher, and staff volunteers! Proceeds from HSA fundraisers and activities help fund CCS education and operations.
Grades K-6 KidStuff Coupon Book Fundraiser
KidStuff Coupon Book sales kick off on Tuesday, September 4th! These books are full of great discounts and values families can use for area businesses. The books sell for $25 each.
The oldest child in each Kindergarten through 6th Grade family will bring home a KidStuff Coupon Book to review. If you don't receive a book for your family, please email the HSA Officers directly.
If you'd like to purchase the book and/or buy additional books for friends and family, please return the Order Form and payment by Monday, September 17th. Simply return the Coupon Book if you don't wish to purchase it.
This year, we are excited to announce that students can earn T-shirts and sweatshirts by selling KidStuff Coupon Books. We are also excited that KidStuff will include a code for its new KidStuff Coupon App for each book purchased. You won't need to carry the book around anymore!
If you have questions or need assistance with the KidStuff Coupon Book Fundraiser, please email the HSA Officers directly.
Upcoming HSA Monthly Meeting
The next HSA General Meeting will be Wednesday, September 5th, at 4:30pm in the 535 Cafeteria. We plan to discuss upcoming fundraisers and volunteer opportunities.
Please enter the 535 Building using the rear entrance furthest from the rear 535 Gym entrance. Building access is not available after 4:45pm.
West Whiteland Police Department Tip Resources
Collegium is committed to maintaining 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 them.
The email address and phone line above are monitored by the WWPD Criminal Investigation Unit. We encourage anyone with information about suspected criminal activity 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, we ask that you also contact your Building Principal(s):
Community Opportunities
In this section, Collegium passes along information on local events and activities our families may want to explore. We will not include information about activities that compete with Collegium programs, non-Collegium fundraisers, or information from for-profit companies.
Upcoming Girl Scouts Open House
Interested in learning more about Girl Scouts and joining a troop? Come and explore the fun of being a Girl Scout at our Girl Scouts Open House on Wednesday, September 19, 2018 at 6:30 pm in the 500 Building Cafeteria. All ages are welcome to attend. Questions regarding Girl Scout Troops at Collegium can be emailed to Erica Hudler. We look forward to seeing you!
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: Ext. 6336
- 535 Building: 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.