Announcements Week of 9/10

CTA GENERAL ANNOUNCEMENTS (Week of 9/10)

CTA CHOIR 2020 DISNEY TRIP IS NOW OPEN TO CURRENT 6TH GRADE STUDENTS:  If you have a student in 6th grade and would love to send them on the trip, please email Mr. Holtrop at jholtrop@ctachargers.org  for more information. It is not too late to sign up!

CHARGER VOICES: Students in Charger Voices need to bring in $10 for their formal attire fee, so that we can get the dresses and vests cleaned. Checks need to be made out to CTA.

SENIOR NEWS: Mrs. Dille will be starting senior conferences on Monday, September 10.  If there are any parents/guardians who would like to come in for the conference, please email Mrs. Dille at: cdille@ctachargers.org.  We will be discussing credits, SAT scores, and plans for after high school.  

PICTURE DAY IS SEPT. 11  Picture packets have been sent home with students or you can go to www.mylifetouch.com and enter the Picture Day ID (LM548013Y0).

GRADES K-8 – TESTING INFORMATION FOR PARENTS:
During the month of September, your child will take tests called Measures of Academic Progress® (MAP®). We give students MAP tests to determine your child’s instructional level and to measure academic growth throughout the school year, and from year to year in the areas of math and reading (K-8). Your child will take the tests on a computer. We are truly excited to begin a new era that focuses on every child’s individual growth and achievement. Partnering to help all kids learn, parents and teachers can have a profound positive effect on the lives of our children.
Tips for Parents - Ways to help your child prepare for testing:

  • Meet with your child’s teacher as often as needed to discuss his or her progress. Ask the teacher to suggest activities for you and your child to do at home to help prepare for tests and improve your child’s understanding of schoolwork. Parents and teachers working together benefits students.

  • Provide a quiet, comfortable place for studying at home.

  • Make sure that your child is well rested on school days and especially the day of a test. Children who are tired are less able to pay attention in class or to handle the demands of a test.

  • Be sure to fuel up with breakfast on test day. A healthy body leads to a healthy, active mind.

  • Provide books and magazines for your child to read at home. By reading new materials, a child learns new words that might appear on a test. Ask your child’s school about a suggested outside reading list or get suggestions from the public library.

    If you have any questions about the testing, please contact Autumn Mattson at amattson@ctachargers.org or Jennifer Colin at jcolin@ctachargers.org.

SUPERINTENDENT MEMO:

U.S. News & World Report (9/6) reports on new research from the San Francisco nonprofit Attendance Works indicating that “more than 8 million children – or about 15 percent of all K-12 students – were chronically absent from school during the 2015-16 academic year.” The report details state-to-state differences, saying “in eight states and the District of Columbia, for example, more than 20 percent of all students were chronically absent.” The piece quotes Attendance Works Executive Director Hedy Chang saying, “Chronic absence data casts a spotlight on where we as a country have failed to provide all students with an equal opportunity to receive a quality education.”

CTA Families: We want CTA to exceed expectations. One of the best things you can do in helping us educate your children is to make sure they are in school and on time! I know I can count on you! - Dan George, Superintendent

Piano Lessons: Merry’s Piano Studio has openings for piano lessons at her home or CTA. You can contact her at 616-696-4505 or mdamsgaard@yahoo.com.

Great Start Readiness Program 4 year old preschool at CTA still has openings! If you are interested in enrolling your child please visit this link: https://preschool.kentisd.org/ and be sure to select Creative Technologies Academy as your school of choice! Because this is a GSRP program there are only 16 slots available for students. These slots will be awarded based on income and the Kent Intermediate School District will be contacting families regarding final placement. First day of preschool is Sept. 17. Please contact Autumn Mattson (amattson@ctachargers.org) if you have any questions.

International Exchange Student Host Families Needed: Hosting a student offers a wonderful learning experience for not just the student you are taking in, but for your own children or even grandchildren. This year we have one student who is still in need of a permanent host family. If you have not met Vicky you should look her up and say hello. This opportunity will open her eyes to the world and pave the way for global peace and understanding. Students come with their own spending money, insurance and have been carefully screened for maturity and English ability. This is an experience of a lifetime that you do not want to miss out on. For more information you can contact the ECEP office at 616-951-7010 or email us at ecep@ecepnet.org.