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., Jan. 21st
- Grades K-12: School Closed - M.L. King, Jr. Day
- Grades 1-6: Boys & Girls Skills & Drills Basketball Clinic | Gym 10:00am - 12:00pm @ 535 Building (See Article)
Tue., Jan. 22nd - Day 6
- 150 Building: ROAR T-Shirt Sale Begins (Ends Tuesday, February 5th)
- Grades 9-12: Detention 3:00pm - 4:30pm @ 535 Building
- Boys 7th & 8th Grade Basketball vs Phoenixville Area Middle School 3:45pm @ Phoenixville Area High School
- Boys Junior Varsity & Varsity Basketball vs The Phelps School 4:00pm @ The Phelps School
- Girls 7th & 8th Grade Basketball vs Phoenixville Area Middle School | Gym 4:00pm @ 500 Building
Wed., Jan. 23rd - Day 1
- Grades K-6: ROAR T-Shirt Day (With Uniform Bottoms)
- Grades 1-12: CCS Science/STEM Fair Event | Gym 4:30pm - 8:30pm @ 500 Building
Thu., Jan. 24th - Day 2
- Grades 9-12: Detention 3:00pm - 4:30pm @ 535 Building
- 150 Building: K-1 STEM Club | Room 961 3:45pm - 5:00pm
- 150 Building: Student Council Meeting | Room 902 3:45pm - 4:45pm
- Boys Junior Varsity & Varsity Basketball vs Jack M. Barrack Hebrew Academy 3:45pm @ Jack M. Barrack Hebrew Academy
- Girls 7th & 8th Grade Basketball vs Westtown School 3:45pm @ Westtown School
- Boys 7th & 8th Grade Basketball vs Westtown School | Gym 4:00pm @ 500 Building
Fri., Jan. 25th - Day 3
- Grades K-6: Spirit Day - Jersey Day (Sports Jersey or T-shirt For A Professional or Student Team) With Uniform Bottoms
- 515 Building: Principals' Coffee Chat | 515 Conference Room 7:45am
- 535 Building: Principals' Coffee Chat | 535 Conference Room 8:30am - 9:30am
- Grades 7-8: Bake Sale | Cafeteria 10:30am - 12:45pm @ 515 Building
- Science/STEM Fair Awards Ceremony | Cafeteria 1:30pm - 2:30pm @ 515 Building
- Boys & Girls 7th Grade Basketball vs Perkiomen School 4:00pm @ Perkiomen School
- 150 Building: 4th Grade Rec. Night | Room 804 6:00pm - 8:00pm
- Girls Varsity Basketball vs Jenkintown High School | Gym 6:00pm @ 535 Building
Sat., Jan. 26th
- Boys Varsity Basketball vs MaST Community Charter School 1:00pm @ MaST Community Charter School
- Girls Varsity Basketball vs Octorara Area High School | Gym 1:00pm @ 535 Building
150 Rocks Kindness
“One message at the right moment can change someone’s entire day, outlook, life!” This is the mission of The Kindness Rocks Project, founded by Megan Murphy, a Certified Professional Coach.
The 150 Building Student Leadership Club (SLC) has established itself with similar mindset. The ever-changing group of students represent Kindergarten through 4th Grade. The students take on leadership roles within the 150 Building, meeting with new students, ensuring that everyone has a buddy with whom to eat lunch, and more.
The SLC’s latest endeavor is taking on the Kindness Rocks Project. The students are in agreement with the project’s words: “When you put positive energy into the world, it comes back to you!”
The Project is organized and sustained by the members of the club. Rocks are hidden on campus and club members keep an eye for when replenishment is necessary. When a student finds a rock, it will be posted on Class Dojo. The student can then take the rock to a different location and hide it for someone else to find. The journey of the rock will be tracked as it moves to various locations. Once a rock is found, the finder is asked to follow the directions (written on the rock) and send a picture of the location to 150ROCKSKindness@ccs.us.
For more information, access The Kindness Rocks Project website and watch the Project’s amazing video at the links below.
The 515 Building Amplifies Science
CCS’s Middle School administration and staff are pleased to introduce you to the Amplify science curriculum. Amplify is a computer-based program that supports Common Core and Next Generation Science Standards*. The program uniquely blends hands-on investigation, literacy-rich activities, and interactive digital tools to empower our students to think, read, write, and argue like real scientists and engineers.
This year, the 515 Building is piloting Amplify in one 7th Grade and one 8th Grade class. Next school year, we plan to implement the new program across the entire 7th Grade, and then, in 2020-2021, across all 8th Grade classes.
Amplify also covers concepts in engineering, which is important because science and engineering are so closely aligned. Amplify’s components include:
- Core science and engineering concepts
- Both science and engineering practices and how they’ve changed over time
- Connections across different science and engineering disciplines
- Approaches that require students to reason with evidence, make sense of phenomena, and develop solutions to problems, and more.
For teachers, Amplify makes high-quality curriculum materials available so they can create more compelling instruction for students. Using real-life applications and other methods to illustrate science and engineering concepts, teachers can better motivate and deeply engage students in learning. Statistically, that translates into better understanding for students, which will increase their science and engineering expertise.
We’re very excited to be able to share Amplify with our students. The program is a proven step forward in science and engineering learning that will help increase students’ mastery of those areas and better prepare them for the future.
Learn more by watching the video below and by visiting the Amplify homepage.
*Next Generation Science Standards were developed to bring K-12 science education into the 21st century. The standards better reflect significant changes science study and careers have undergone in recent years, and encompasses current science practices, exploration of connections across different science disciplines, and real-life science applications.
468/486 Kids Heart Challenge
The Kids Heart Challenge (KHC) is a new direction towards whole body wellness that helps students improve their own health and better their character while fundraising for the American Heart Association. Proceeds of the fundraiser go to support kids facing heart-health issues. Our participation also earns CCS gift certificates for new Physical Education equipment from the American Heart Association.
Donation envelopes and a parent letter explaining the event were sent home recently. If your child didn't receive these items, please contact their homeroom teacher. Donations are encouraged, but are not mandatory.
Students in the 468/486 Buildings will all participate in KHC on Thursday, February 14th. Every student participates in the event regardless of donation status. Please check out the link below for further information.
Camp Collegium 2019: Upcoming Online Registration
Camp Collegium will return this July for another exciting summer filled with fun activities and day trips! Registration details will be posted on the Summer Camps webpage at 9:00am on Monday, February 4, 2019. Use the Camp Collegium webpage link below to learn more!
Camp spaces fill quickly, so we encourage families to register on Monday, February 4th at 9:00am, or as soon as possible thereafter. Last year, we had over 100 families register on the first day of registration. Please, don't delay!
Questions? Email our Director of Child Care Programs, Ms. Horsey, who will be happy to assist you.
535 Midterm Survival Kit Fundraiser Results
Thank you to all of the students and teachers in the 535 Building who purchased Midterm Survival Kits to benefit the UNICEF and She's The First Clubs. We sold out of Kits and made $130.00 to donate to the UNICEF and She's The First organizations. The proceeds will help underprivileged children around the world.
Learn more about UNICEF and She's The First by using the links below to visit their websites.
Elementary Student Council Presents: K-6 Jersey Day
On Friday, January 25th, the Elementary Student Council will host K-6 Jersey Day! Students can wear their favorite jerseys with uniform bottoms. Jerseys or t-shirts can represent professional teams, semi-professional teams, or local intramural teams.
If you have questions, please email the Elementary Student Council Chair in your child's building.
150 Building Role Model Dance
On Saturday, February 9th, students in our 150 Building are encouraged to bring a positive adult role model in their lives to dance the night away at our Role Model Dance! The dance will take place between 5:00pm and 7:00pm in the 150 Building Cafeteria.
The cost to attend our 150 Building Role Model Dance is only $1.00 per person (paid at the door). There will be a DJ, photo booth, dancing, and refreshments, making the cost well worth signing up!
Questions? Please email Ms. Grandizio.
Upcoming Coffee Chat With Mr. Sterious
Collegium Principals host Coffee Chats in their buildings to give parents/guardians the chance to join them for coffee and informal conversation. Principal and parent/guardian Coffee Chat discussions cover topics about our school, events, and academic programming.
In their Coffee Chat Invitation video below, CCS Middle School Principal, Mr. Sterious, and Assistant Principal, Mr. Harkins, invite families to the 515 Building's next 2018-2019 Coffee Chat on Friday, January 25th at 7:45am.
Upcoming Coffee Chats in other CCS Buildings are listed below:
- Friday, January 25th: 535 Building Principals' Coffee Chat | Conference Room 8:30am - 9:30am
- Wednesday, January 30th: 500 Building Principals' Coffee Chat | Conference Room 9:00am - 10:00am
Collegium Employee Spotlight: Sara Newlin
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 can greet them by name and strike up conversations!
Watch this video to learn more about Mrs. Sara Newlin, Student Services Administrative Assistant.
Education Explained: What Are Chromebooks?
Each week, CCS employees highlight common terms and philosophies in education and explain how they impact teaching and learning at Collegium. This week's contribution comes from Gregg Stanley, CCS Director of Technology.
At Collegium, teachers increasingly use Chromebooks in their Kindergarten through 12th Grade classrooms. You might wonder what Chromebooks are, how they’re used, and why Collegium chose them? Read on for answers to these questions and more.
What is a Chromebook?
A Chromebook is a laptop that runs on the Google Chrome operating system. The Chrome operating system is designed to work on the cloud versus the computer’s hard drive. That means that students’ work is done and stored online. This allows students to access their files and email anywhere they have an internet connection and can sign in.
Why Did CCS Choose Chromebooks?
Chromebooks are the #1 computer device in schools because they are easy to use, versatile, secure, and affordable. Chromebooks are also built to be shareable. Many students can use the same device to access their own work using their individualized profiles. The “shareability” Chromebooks provide also makes it easy for students to collaborate with one other and with teachers.
Chromebooks at CCS
Currently, CCS has over 650 managed Chromebook devices that are shared throughout all of our buildings. All of our Chromebooks log in wirelessly to connect to the internet. Each student has a unique login to access printers, Gmail, and their personal file storage space on the cloud-based Google Drive. Several Collegium teachers also use an application called “Google Classroom” to help organize and distribute classwork to students.
Future plans for Chromebooks at CCS
Our vision is to transition to a 1:1 environment for Grades 9-12, where students will each be assigned a Chromebook device for their use. Once that goal has been reached, CCS plans to extend the 1:1 initiative to Grades 5-8. In the meantime, we will continue to grow the use of Chromebooks by our Elementary students.
Watch the video below to learn even more about Chromebooks.
From Our Board of Trustees
CCS 20/20 Update and Surveys
Collegium’s strategic planning process, CCS 20/20, is well underway. Two important steps were accomplished over the last several weeks. Strategy Arts, the local firm that the Board engaged to lead the planning process, conducted a series of interviews with internal and external stakeholders to learn about Collegium’s strengths, areas for improvement, and priority focus areas for the next 20 years.
Following those interviews, Strategy Arts held four focus groups, two with CCS teachers and two with CCS families. The information gathered from the focus groups and interviews was used to craft two online surveys. The surveys will allow all Collegium families and employees to provide input regarding the future direction of our school.
Family Survey
We invite all Collegium families to share their input by taking the online survey linked below. The survey should take less than 10 minutes. Please complete it by Sunday, January 27th. We will also reach out to families through email with the survey information.
Employee Survey
Last week, Collegium employees received an email with their survey link.
We thank everyone who participated in our interviews and focus groups. We now encourage everyone to take a few minutes to share their valuable perspectives.
Athletic Department Updates
Collegium Baseball Skating Fundraiser
The Varsity Boys Baseball Team is hosting a roller skating fundraiser on Friday, February 1st from 5:00pm to 7:00pm at Chester County Sports Arena (4533 West Lincoln Highway, Downingtown, PA).
This event is open to all K-12 Collegium students. The cost is $10.00 at the door. To participate, families must complete a Permission Slip (linked below and also available at Chester County Sports Arena the night of the event).
Come out and support your Collegium Cougars Baseball Team as they prepare for the 2019 season! We hope to see you there!
Email Coach Slusser if you have questions or need additional information about this fundraiser.
January 2019 Skills & Drills Basketball Clinic
Collegium is happy to offer another Skills & Drills Basketball Clinic to our students in Grades 1-6. The Clinic is scheduled for Monday, January 21st in the William D. Winters Gymnasium (535 Building Gym). The cost is $10.00/child. Payment and Permission Slips (linked below) are due by Monday, January 21st.
The first Skills & Drills Basketball Clinic session will be for students in Grades 1-3 from 10:00am until 11:00am. The session for our 4th-6th Grade students will be from 11:00am until 12:00pm.
At the Clinic, students will learn from Collegium’s Boys and Girls Varsity Basketball Coaches and student-athletes as they teach the fundamentals of basketball and share their love of the game!
If you have questions about Collegium’s January 2019 Skills & Drills Basketball Clinic, email Coach Jones.
Updates From CCS's HSA
Serving in a capacity similar to a Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) or Parent-Teacher Organization (PTO), our Home & School Association (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.
HSA Annual Outgrown & Vendor Sale Back By Popular Demand
The 2nd Annual HSA Outgrown & Vendor Sale is scheduled for Saturday, March 2, 2019 from 8:00am to 2:00pm. We anticipate a fun and successful sale again this year. The Outgrown & Vendor Sale is an HSA Fundraiser that benefits Collegium.
Outgrown & Vendor Sale Consignors
Consignors are now being accepted! Pay $25.00 to consign, or volunteer for two hours and consign for free! Consignors receive 70% of their sales; 30% of each sale benefits CCS. Email Sarah Hanna to sign up.
Volunteers Needed For The Outgrown & Vendor Sale
We need volunteers for the Outgrown And Vendor Sale to run well. Please use the SignUpGenius link below to schedule one or two hours. Thank you!
Early Admission Tickets For The Sale
Want to access the sale before the general public? Purchase your Early Admission tickets using the link below.
Consignors: Information About Purchasing Your Tags
Consignors can purchase tags at the next monthly HSA meeting (Wednesday, February 6th at 4:30pm) or send an email to Mrs. Anna McFadden to coordinate pickup.
Spring Box Tops For Education Contest
Our Spring Box Tops Contest is coming soon. Don’t forget to start clipping and saving your Box Tops now!
Teacher Appreciation Week
This spring’s Teacher Appreciation Week is also approaching. We’ll be in touch soon to ask for volunteers and donations for this important recognition event!
School Store Volunteers Needed!
Please consider volunteering to work a School Store in our 150, 468, 486, and/or 500 Buildings. Your kids love their school stores, and we need volunteers to make them available to students in the morning and at lunch. The School Store SignUpGenius link is below. Note that clearances are required for School Store volunteers.
Monthly HSA Meeting
The HSA will meet next on Wednesday, February 6th at 4:30pm in the High School Cafeteria (535 Building). We hope to see you there!
Please enter the 535 Building using the rear entrance furthest from the rear 535 Gym entrance. Building access is not available after 4:45pm. If you have questions or need additional information, email our HSA Officers directly.
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 use 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):
Important Collegium Telephone Numbers
Collegium's Main Number
Building Main Office Extensions
- 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 to deny material for submission if it is deemed to be inappropriate or of little or no interest to CCS families.