July 2015 Newsletter www.pinnaclecsi.org 303-450-3985

The Mission of The Pinnacle Charter School is: To educate students to attain superior levels of academic performance by: Creating a safe, supportive school community Fostering a structured environment to prepare students for college and career Using data and state standards to support learning Striving for excellence in everything we do.

Dear Pinnacle Parents: Our 18th year begins in a few weeks. We welcome back our Middle and High School students on August 19; our graduating class of 2028 (Kindergartners) on the 20th; and our Grades 1-5 students on the 24th. You probably won’t see too many changes to our buildings when school begins, with the exception of soundproofing in the K-8 Building cafeteria and a new floor in the high school gym. We did make one big change to our internal operations with a shift in our student information system from Powerschool to Infinite Campus. While any new computer system will have some glitches and hiccups when it first comes on-line, we expect Infinite Campus to vastly improve our ability to access and use a wider array of student data. We also expect this system to make it easier for you to use the Parent Portal to keep abreast of your student’s progress. We’re working toward two important events this fall: our accreditation visit from AdvancEd and submitting our charter renewal application to the Charter School Institute (CSI). AdvancEd is a national accrediting body for schools and colleges. Our accreditation will mean that our school meets quality standards in our educational program, operations, and governance. The renewal of our charter for another 5 years will indicate that we have achieved the high criteria expected of CSI schools. One of our goals for this year is to get you more involved with The Pinnacle. We’ll begin with a number of Orientation meetings in August and early September with parents to go over what you can expect of us; what we can expect from you; and what both of us can expect from our students. We’ll present a variety of opportunities to volunteer your time and talent for the benefit of our school and our students. Your involvement with The Pinnacle can range from volunteering to assist in classrooms, chaperoning events, and working with our continuing year ‘round fundraiser: Monday Night Bingo. Volunteering also includes attending such events as the Cultural Night at the High School, the Reading Around the World program at the Elementary School, the Fall Fun Fest, and supporting our Arts, Drama, and Athletics programs. The Pinnacle is a Charter School, governed by Board of Directors composed mostly of parents. Unlike regular public schools, we want and need you to work with us to be active participants in your children’s education. In September, the self-nomination process to be a candidate for a three year term on the Board will begin. Two seats will be open this year. We’ll be looking for candidates who are interested in working with our administration to set the direction for The Pinnacle and keep us on the path to providing the best education possible for our students. Welcome to the 2015-16 School Year with the hope and expectation that this will be our best year ever! Sincerely yours, Doc William K. Wiener, Ph.D. – Executive Director

Important Dates to Remember: Aug. 18: Aug. 19: Aug. 20: Aug. 20: Aug. 24:

Kindergarten Open House and Orientation from 3PM to 6PM 1st day of School for Middle School and High School Students 1st day of School for Kindergarten Students Open House 1st –12th Grade from 4PM-8PM 1st Day of School for 1st-5th Grade Students

School Hours: Kindergarten - 8th: 8:20AM to 3:20PM 9th through 12th: 7:10AM to 2:25PM

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Open House Event Join us on August 20th from 4PM to 8PM for our Open House Event for all 1st through 12th grade students. You will be able to visit the classrooms, meet the teachers, and drop off school supplies.

————————————————————————————————————————————-***IMPORTANT CHANGES TO PARENT STUDENT HANDBOOK*** Deliveries for Students In order to maintain an optimum, uninterrupted learning environment in the classroom, we ask that you not send deliveries for celebrations (balloons, flowers, stuffed animals, etc.) to students at school. Such deliveries will not be accepted. It is our desire to train and educate self-reliant students. Thus, it is the policy of the school not to let students call home and ask their parents to bring their homework or projects that they may have forgotten at home. The Front Office staff will not receive or be responsible for iPads, cell phones, cameras, etc. The Front Office staff will not accept any items for students, except a homemade lunch. We strongly encourage families to have a system in place that helps students manage their responsibilities in an efficient way. If a child should neglect his responsibilities, it is important for him to learn from the natural and logical consequences so that next time he/she may have a more positive outcome. Telephones Delivering messages to the classroom is disruptive to the entire class. Permission to use the telephone will be granted after school. In cases of emergency, the school will get a message to your child as long as it is received no later than 2:00 p.m. Forgotten articles and making arrangements for after school social affairs are not considered “emergency” reasons for student phone use nor the delivery of messages to students. Only message regarding afterschool transportation are delivered to students. (Please give your child his/her after school instructions before leaving home in the morning.) ————————————————————————————————————————————Parent Orientation Meetings Parents are expected to attend one of the Orientation Meetings for the school(s) their students attend to be held during the first weeks of the Fall Semester. During these meetings, the Pinnacle Agreement which outlines expectations for Parents, Students, and School Personnel will be discussed. Dates and times to be determined.

6th Grade Kick Start Program The Pinnacle Charter Middle School is excited to invite your future 6th grader to a wonderful opportunity this August (8/3-8/7). The Middle School will be hosting a “Kick Start Program” for our incoming 6th graders, the Class of 2022. Our Kick Start Program will provide students with the opportunity to learn about the academic and behavior expectations of Middle School. They will also have a chance to chat with Mr. Arellano, the Middle School Principal, along with other staff. The program is free and will offer lunch. It is one week in length. Unfortunately, we are unable to provide transportation for summer programming. All interested students must be dropped off and picked up accordingly. Here is the daily schedule for the week: Time

Topic

9:00 – 9:55

Language Arts & Social Studies skills

10:00 – 10:55

Math skills

11:00 – 11:55

Science skills

11:55 – 12:25

Lunch

12:30 – 1:25

6P’s (Attending Skills)

1:30 – 2:25

Team building activities

2:30 – 3:25

Study skills

—————————————————————————————————————————————Student Fees Updated invoices for student fees were sent on June 24th. If you have any questions about your invoice, please call the Business Office at 303-450-3985, ext. 1024, or e-mail [email protected]. If your student rode the bus last year and would like to continue riding or you would like to sign your student up as a new rider, you must fill out a new application on the Pinnacle Website http://www.thepinnacleweb.org/. Click on Departments and then Transportation. Once applications are approved, a fee of $100 per student (plus $50 for every additional route) is added to the student’s account and is due no later than August 3rd in order to ride the bus the first day of school. Payment for student fees can be made via cash or check in the Business Office or online via credit card at https:// www.studentquickpay.com/pinnacle/ . You may be eligible for your fees (not including transportation) to be reduced or waived if your student is approved for the Free & Reduced Lunch Program. Please bring a copy of the approval letter to the Business Office to receive these discounts. Fees are only discounted on presentation of the letter. Current letters are valid for 30 days after school starts in August and must be renewed after that date to continue receiving benefits. If you received a discount last year, you will receive a letter in the mail in mid to late July informing you if you need to re-apply or if you will be automatically renewed. If you need to re-apply or are a new applicant, applications for the discount may be made online at https://www.applyforlunch.com/ beginning in mid to late July. If you choose to apply online, make sure to select The Pinnacle School Food Authority as your school district. **If your student will not be attending Pinnacle this coming school year, please contact the registrar at 303 4503985, ext. 1003, or e-mail at [email protected] to release your student records. You will be unable to register your student at a new school without these records.

Make shopping for supplies and uniforms easy! Take these lists with you. Please see the attached uniform and supply shopping lists at the end of the newsletter. Students in 6th-8th grade are required to wear an approved Pinnacle P.E. uniform. Students may purchase a P.E. uniform from Mr. Cutty once school begins.

Transportation Information Transportation applications for the 2015-2016 school year are currently being accepted online at our website. Applications and payment of the bus fee are due by August 3rd to guarantee a spot for your student. ——————————————————————————————————————————————-

Volunteer/Fundraising Opportunities Anyone who wishes to volunteer at The Pinnacle must complete a Volunteer Agreement and have a background check done through the school prior to volunteering. Volunteer Agreements are available at the front office of the K-8 building. A new background check is required every two years. Safety is one of our top priorities at The Pinnacle. We want to make sure our students, staff and community are safe. Please contact our Volunteer Coordinator, Eddee Chavez, at ext. 1126 with questions or for more information. We look forward to working with you this school year. Box Tops and Labels for Education Box Tops and Labels for Education are programs that benefit our Elementary School. Box tops and labels from containers are collected by students, submitted to individual classroom teachers, and tallied monthly. The top two classrooms earn the right to choose from an assortment of school related items that reflect their collection totals. Additional materials are purchased for school-wide use. These can include cooperative games, class book sets, and literacy center components. Please consider collecting and donating your box tops and labels to your student’s classroom teacher. Thank you for your effort to support our school! **We are always accepting donations of gently used uniforms. Please feel free to drop these items off at the front desk of the K-8 building.** Middle School Counseling Our Middle School Counselor, Jessica Kautza, will be out until November 2nd. Once school begins, Jen Goldstein will be assisting with any counseling needs that you or your student may have. Please feel free to contact her at ext. 1166 with any questions or concerns.

May 15, 2015 Dear Parents and Guardians: I want to make sure all of our parents and guardians know about free, healthy meals available this summer. The Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) is designed to replace the school lunch program during the summer months, so that your children have access to the same nutritious meals that they rely on during the school year. No application or registration is required! Free breakfast, lunch, afternoon snacks and suppers are served all summer at sites around the city. The Pinnacle will be offering breakfast and lunch. Kids and teens under 18 can eat free, just by showing up at any summer food sites. In addition, many summer food sites also offer fun and engaging activities! Please keep in mind, as one site closes throughout the summer, others will begin and/or continue offering meal service. To find additional sites near you, please call the Hunger Free Hotline at 855-855-4626 or visit kidsfoodfinder.org. All kids are welcome at any site found on the map or through the Hunger Free Hotline. All Pinnacle students are invited to participate: Site Name: The Pinnacle Charter School 1001 West 84th Ave. Dates of Service: June 1 -August 7 Closed July 3 Time of Service: Breakfast 9:00 am-10:00 am Lunch 11:55 am- 1:00 pm Many families have come to rely on this valuable service during the summer. I am pleased that we are expanding our program to include breakfast this year and increasing the number of days meals will be available. Your support of this program will make it a success. Sincerely, Doc William K, Wiener, Ph.D. Executive Director – The Pinnacle i Statement of Nondiscrimination: The Summer Food Service Program is funded by the USDA. In accordance with Federal law and USDA policy, any institution operating or involved with SFSP is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability. To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 1400 Independence Ave., SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 or call 202-720-5964, (voice and TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity employer.

Keeping You Informed To save money and the environment, The Pinnacle Charter School uses a paperless system. Most information can be obtained by calling the school at 303-450-3985, email, and by visiting our school website at www.pinnaclecsi.org. See the chart below to learn how to stay informed.

Monthly Newsletters

Visit www.pinnaclecsi.org and click on Parent Resources then Newsletter.

Weekly Classroom Newsletters

Visit www.pinnaclecsi.org and click on the teacher’s classroom page.

Homework Assignments

Visit www.pinnaclecsi.org and click on the teacher’s classroom page.

Communication

.

Parents may call or email a request to meet with teachers at any time. Periodic notices will be sent home through email. Make sure we have your current email.

Lunch Payments and Menu

Get signed up by visiting www.pinnaclecsi.org and click on Departments and then Lunch Program for instructions and menus. Parents can monitor their child’s eating habits, pay balances and make deposits to the lunch accounts.

Student Fees and Cub’s Den Payments

To pay fees and Cub’s Den payments visit www.pinnaclecsi.org, click on Departments, click on Business, scroll down and click on fees. It’s that easy!

Tips for Pinnacle Parents and Guardians Welcome to the Pinnacle Charter School. We hope that your experience at The Pinnacle is a positive one. Communication is very important for our parents. We have created this tip page to help new parents and returning parents understand the school process. Please contact the school at 303-450-3985 if you have questions. *The school calendar contains many important dates. We recommend that you post this calendar in your home or office. The school calendar is available at the Front Office or online. *Arrival and Closed Campus: K-8 students cannot arrive prior to 8:00 a.m. and must remain on campus until school begins. High School Students must remain on campus once they arrive at 7:10 a.m. *K-8 Drop-Off and Pick-Up: Kindergarten through 2nd grade will enter at the East Gate at 8:00 a.m. Grades 3 through 5 will enter at the Front Entrance at 8:00 a.m. Grades 6 through 8 will enter at the West end of the building at 8:00 a.m. Parents must use the parking lot and parking garage if they are physically walking students to the door. Parents must use the drop off lane if they do not plan on walking their student to the door. DO NOT park and leave your car in the drop-off lane. DO NOT use the fire lane for any reason. *Parking: Parents must use the parking lot and parking garage when visiting the school. Auto Zone and the Corner Store will tow your car if you leave it in their lot. Please be respectful of these establishments, and leave the parking for their customers. *School Lunches: Parents may pay in advance online for school lunches. Visit the school website at www.pinnaclecsi.org and click on the “Lunch Program” link at the bottom of the Home page for this information and more. This online program is very useful even if you do not pre-pay. You can access your student’s account to view what they eat each day, check the balance, and pre-pay. You will need a certain number to create an account with this program. This number can be obtained by calling Food Service Department or the Front Office. Students may choose to bring a lunch from home or purchase one at the school. Free and Reduced lunch applications must be filled out each year. Applications are available at the school front office around the end of July each summer. A school lunch menu is available at the front office and online. *School Attendance and Early Release: If your K-8 student will be absent, you will need to call 303-450-3985 and press the number 3. High School absences can be reported at 303-412-2940. Press the number 3. If you wish to have your K-8 student released early for the day, please call 303-450-3985 and press the number 3. Early Release calls must be made at least two hours in advance. Every attempt will be made to have your student waiting at the Front Lobby when you arrive. *Communications: The Pinnacle uses several methods to communicate with Parents.  Website: Parents will want to stay connected to the Pinnacle Website at www.pinnnaclecsi.org and check it often.  Newsletter: We have a monthly newsletter that is sent out by email and is also available at the Front Office.  Auto Dialer: We will often send out telephone calls to the home number that is provided in your student file when we have important notices. The program we use will send a call to each family in elementary, middle and high school. We apologize if you have a student in each school. The system will send a call to each student in each school, so it is possible that you may receive several calls with the same message.  Emails: Weekly emails are sent to parents with important information. If you included an email address on your registration forms, you will begin to receive weekly emails. If you did not provide an email address on your registration form and would like to provide your email address, please contact Ms. Aragon at [email protected] or provide your email address, in print, at the front office. If you provided an address and are not receiving emails, please email [email protected] to begin receiving school emails.  Weekly/Quarterly Classroom Newsletters: Many elementary teachers will send out newsletters to keep you posted on what is going on in the classroom.  Telephone Numbers and Email: Parents can call the teacher or various departments at any time. If you do not know the extension for the person you are calling, you may dial ext. 1000 to ask the front office receptionists for assistance. Email is a good way to communicate with teachers and staff. Each email address at The Pinnacle is set up with the first initial then last name @pinnaclecsi.org. Example: John Smith would be [email protected]. A staff directory with email addresses and telephone extensions is available at http://www.thepinnacleweb.org/contact-us. The front office can also provide you with a copy of this information. *Volunteering: We encourage every parent to volunteer when possible. We understand that many of you have jobs that may not provide you the weekly opportunities to help in the classrooms or various departments of the school, but anytime you are able to volunteer at special events or field trips would be great. Each parent will need to fill out a Volunteer Packet and turn it in to the Front Office. Please ask your student’s teacher to provide a time and day that works best for volunteering. Parents are the number one reason for the success of their student(s) at school. If you are not able to volunteer at the school, it is very important to work with your student at home with homework and reading.

Uniform Policy The responsibility to make academics the primary focus obligates the Pinnacle to prevent anything, which may distract from the education of students. An environment in which students, staff, parents, and community members feel safe is of the utmost importance. Towards this end, a uniform policy has been adopted and will be enforced. Registering your child at the Pinnacle indicates your acceptance of this policy. Students not in uniform will be required to get a proper change of clothing or be sent home and further disciplinary action may be taken. Repeat offenders will be considered habitually disruptive. Please be advised of the following: Shirts: Students may wear short or long sleeved navy blue polo type shirts which are plain (no logo) or have the Pinnacle logo. Shorts and skirts: Students may wear navy blue or brown khaki shorts which are flat front or pleated and are of the business casual variety and are within 3 inches of the kneecap. They may be of any material as long as they are not tight, revealing, sagging, or baggy in appearance. Girls may wear a navy blue or brown khaki skirt which extends to within 3 inches of the kneecap and the same rules apply for material as to the pants. Pants: Navy blue or brown khaki pants which are flat front or pleated and are of the business casual variety. They may be of any material as long as they are not tight, revealing, sagging, or baggy in appearance. Jeans are not allowed as part of the uniform at any time. Students must also wear a belt. (Students in grades K-2 are not required to wear a belt.) “Skin tight” garments (e.g. skinny, Spandex, stretch, etc.) are prohibited. Shoes: Appropriate closed toe shoes must be worn at all times. No flip flops, sandals, or slippers. Sweaters/Sweatshirts: Navy blue sweaters and navy blue non-hooded sweatshirts may be worn in the school. They may be plain (no logo) or have the Pinnacle High School logo. Hooded sweatshirts may be worn to school and then placed in the students’ locker until school is over each day. K-12 Boys Shirts: Solid navy blue Polo shirts only.

K-12 Girls Shirts: Solid navy blue Polo shirts only.

Pants: Navy blue or khaki dress slacks, business casual style.

Pants: Navy blue or khaki business casual style.

Shorts: Dark navy blue or khaki dress shorts within 3 inches above the kneecap.

Shorts: Dark navy blue or khaki business casual dress shorts within 3 inches above the kneecap. Skirts: Navy blue or brown khaki skirt which extends to within 3 inches of the kneecap.

Students will be responsible for and held accountable for the uniform policy in the Pinnacle Parent Handbook. The final interpretation of uniform issues will be made by the Administration of the school. Students may not wear any item or have in their possession any item that disrupts the educational environment. This list will be modified as needed.

Sept. 2015 Newsletter www.pinnaclecsi.org 303-450-3985

The Mission of The Pinnacle Charter School is: To educate students to attain superior levels of academic performance by: Creating a safe, supportive school community Fostering a structured environment to prepare students for college and career Using data and state standards to support learning Striving for excellence in everything we do.

Dear Pinnacle Parents: Welcome to our 18th year of providing a quality education to your daughters and sons. We appreciate your trust in us to prepare your students for college, career, and life, whether they are beginning their educational journey in Kindergarten or completing their time with us as a High School Senior. In the next couple of weeks, we’ll be issuing scan-cards to all of our students and smart cards to our bus riders. These cards will help us to better keep track of our bus-riding students and eliminate the problems of getting on the wrong bus or missing the bus. The cards will also be used in the school cafeterias and should speed up lunch lines to give your students more time to eat. The scan-cards and/or smart cards are embedded with your student’s ID. Please help us by making sure your student has his/her school ID with them each day. Let me correct a couple of statements I made in our last newsletter. I told you that busses were equipped with cameras. The cameras originally ordered were inadequate. Thus, we sent them back and ordered cameras which have both video and audio capability. They should be installed on all busses by the end of September. I also said that the K8 Cafeteria would be sound-proofed. Due to difficulty securing contractors who could provide us the proper materials, this project needed to be postponed until later this fall. It is a high priority. Board of Directors elections will take place on October 23. Two seats for three year terms will be open. If you are interested in running for the Board, please submit your resume and a statement about why you wish to be a Board member to me between now and October 9. Candidates will need to be present at two Candidates Forums. Please take a look at our By-laws on The Pinnacle website for information about the duties of a Board member. We have many opportunities for you to serve your school whether it’s as a Board member, a member of our Advisory Council (which also has openings) or as a volunteer. You’ll find information about volunteering in this edition of the newsletter. Some of you may know that I’ll be retiring at the end of this school year. Please don’t even think for a minute that my short-timer status will have any effect upon my involvement in the job we all have in front of us this year. I’m planning to work as hard as ever to guide and support The Pinnacle Community as we bring our students to a higher level of excellence. Our Board of Directors and Human Resources Department will be launching a national search for my successor. We hope to bring the next school leader of The Pinnacle on board next April or May to bring about a smooth transition. We are Pinnacle, Doc William K. Wiener, Ph.D. Executive Director

Important Dates to Remember: Sept. 3: Dress Down Day Fundraiser Sept. 7: No School—Labor Day Sept. 10: Back to School Night for K-2 Sept. 11: Dress Down Day Fundraiser Sept. 18: Dress Down Day Fundraiser Sept. 21: School Board Meeting at 5PM in the High School Lecture Hall Sept. 24: Skate City Fundraiser from 6PM-8PM at Skate City Westminster Sept. 25: Dress Down Day Fundraiser Sept. 28: No School—Teacher In-Service Day

In an effort to improve the safety of our students as they cross the parking lot, we ask that cell phones not be used as you are entering and driving through the parking lot. We have had several incidents where drivers were using their phones and not paying attention to the staff directing traffic. Staff is in the parking lot to maintain an orderly flow of traffic and to keep all students safe as they are arriving and leaving school. The most important part of our job is the safety of the students, and we take this seriously. Please help us by doing your part and ensuring that you are not distracted by anything while you are driving in the school parking lot. Visit our school website for a traffic flow map for the K8 Parking lot. ————————————————————————————————————————————-Important Information from the Transportation Department All bus fees are NOW available for payment online and with the Business Office. All outstanding bus fees must be paid in full immediately or your student will not be able to ride the bus and may lose their reserved seat. Parent Notification 2015-16 Wonders Reading curriculum literacy materials and science supplies were funded in part from the remaining balances in 2014-15 Science Fair, Spelling Bee, and Yearbook accounts. Energy Drinks The Pinnacle works together with parents to ensure that our students are getting a nutritional meal during lunch and discourages the consumption of energy drinks (Monster, Rock Star, etc.) by students at any time during the school day. Attendance Attendance is an integral part of your student’s academic success. It is very important that parents call the attendance line when their student will be absent from school. Elementary attendance line: ext. 3201 Middle School attendance line: ext. 3202 **Please do not leave messages for early release on the attendance lines. The attendance lines are not for early dismissal. Please call the Early Dismissal Line at ext. 3203 at least 2 hours in advance to request an early dismissal for a student.

Every Monday Night Pinnacle Bingo! 7:00 p.m. 106th and Melody Drive Northglenn, CO Children 7 and older can play.

Come to our Must Go! September 14th at 7:00 p.m.

When you play Bingo with Pinnacle, you support groups such as Band, Drama, NHS, Volleyball, Football, Basketball, and more! Please mark your calendars to play Bingo Monday evenings. Parents: if your students participate in any of these clubs or sports, we need your help. Sign up to help one Monday night to show your support. Contact your coaches or team leaders to sign up.

Thank you for your support!

Questions: Contact Julie at 303-450-3985 ext. 1002

Volunteer/Fundraising Opportunities Box Tops and Labels for Education Box Tops and Labels for Education are programs that benefit our Elementary School. Box tops and labels from containers are collected by students, submitted to individual classroom teachers, and tallied monthly. The top two classrooms earn the right to choose from an assortment of school related items that reflect their collection totals. Additional materials are purchased for school-wide use. These can include cooperative games, class book sets, and literacy center components. Please consider collecting and donating your box tops and labels to your student’s classroom teacher. Thank you for your effort to support our school! ———————————————————————————————————**Please contact our Volunteer Coordinator, Eddee Chavez, at ext. 1126 if you are interested in volunteering at The Pinnacle.** **We are always accepting donations of gently used uniforms. Please feel free to drop these items off at the front desk of the K-8 building.**

————————————————————————————————————————————— Biscuit Day is Coming! Join the Erie Historical Society in celebrating the 13th annual Biscuit Day celebration in downtown Erie, CO (Briggs Street) on Saturday, Sept. 19th, from 8AM to 12PM. There will be delicious biscuits and gravy available for purchase, a cake walk, live entertainment, and vendor booths. Contact Ms. Wise at [email protected] for more information about the event. See you at Briggs Street on Sept. 19th.

Classroom News Kindergarten: Kindergarten is off to a great start! We will begin Kindergarten learning our numbers 0-5 in Math. We will be learning What Makes a Good Citizen in Social Studies and the Nature of Science in Science. We are looking forward to taking our first field trip of the year to the Denver Zoo. All parents are welcome to volunteer but must submit a volunteer application at least two weeks prior to the field trip and must pass a background check. Please ask your student’s teacher for the application if you are interested in volunteering. We are looking forward to a great year working with your student. First Grade: Welcome back, Pinnacle families! We are continuing to work hard this month on routines. We are excited to start learning in all subject areas. Please remember to send a snack for afternoon recess. Students must wear closed-toe shoes with their uniform. Please contact your student’s teacher for any questions or concerns. Thank you for your support at home. We look forward to working with you this year. Second Grade: Welcome to second grade! We have gotten off to a great start. We will be working on the nature of science, which involves learning about what scientists do, what kinds of skills and tools they use, and how they find answers and collect and share data in the month of September. We will be learning about our rights as citizens in Social Studies. We will be learning about visualizing what we read, finding key details, and understanding character, setting, and events in Literacy. We will also be working on capitalization and punctuation in sentences and friendly letters. Thank you for helping us make this a great year. Third Grade: Welcome to third grade! We have gotten off to a great start. We will be learning about our communities to kick off the school year. We will be reading and writing about how learning helps us grow. We will also be working on capitalization and punctuation in sentences. Thank you for your support. Fourth Grade: Welcome to the 4th grade. We will continue working with our iPads and integrating them into our classrooms this year. The Wonders reading and writing program and the Envision math program are done on the iPads, so it is crucial that your student bring his/her iPad every day to class and fully charged. Fifth Grade: 5th grade has successfully implemented their class rotations for Math and Reading. We are proud of our students for adjusting so well to their new schedule and teachers. Students recently received an iPad for school use and are already working on various projects using their iPads. Middle School: Attention all 6th Grade Parents: One of the highlights of the year will be the Outdoor Education fieldtrip to Camp Id-Ra-Ha-Je in Bailey, Colorado, in mid-April. This is a three day, two night trip. We would like all students to participate. The cost is $160 per student, and each family is responsible for paying for their student. We will offer one fundraiser opportunity during the month of September, a gift catalog/discount card to local businesses, to help offset the cost. The fundraiser will begin September 16th and end September 30th. The profit your student makes will go into his/her trip account. Please watch for this fundraiser information to be sent home. Contact Kelly Kraus at ext. 1070 for more information. Attention all 7th and 8th Grade Students and Parents: Travel and Explore Washington, D.C. in 2016! Parents and students are invited to attend an informational meeting regarding travel to Washington, D.C. during the summer of 2016. The meeting will be held on Wednesday, September 16th, at 5:30pm in the lobby of the K-8 building. Come enjoy a snack and get the information for this exciting opportunity. Contact Paula Norris at ext. 1081 or Kelly Kraus at ext. 1070 for more information.

Oct. 2015 Newsletter www.pinnaclecsi.org 303-450-3985

The Mission of The Pinnacle Charter School is: To educate students to attain superior levels of academic performance by: Creating a safe, supportive school community Fostering a structured environment to prepare students for college and career Using data and state standards to support learning Striving for excellence in everything we do.

Queridos Padres de Pinnacle, Octubre promete ser un mes muy ocupado con mucho suceso que nos ayudará a graficamos la dirección de la escuela para el futuro. Un equipo de ocho personas de AdvanceED, un organismo nacional de acreditación, pasará dos días con nosotros a principios de mes para ver qué tan bien estamos a la altura estándares como propósito y dirección; Gobernabilidad y Liderazgo; Enseñanza y Evaluación para el aprendizaje; Recursos y Sistemas de Apoyo; y uso de resultados para de Mejoramiento Continuo. Ellos estarán visitando las clases y el personal de las entrevistas, los miembros del Consejo y los padres. Vamos a tener un informe de sus conclusiones a principios de Noviembre que voy a compartir con ustedes. Vamos a estar usando el informe avanzado para construir sobre nuestras fortalezas y áreas de direcciones en las que estamos deficientes. Un segundo evento que ayudará a dar forma a nuestro futuro es nuestra solicitud de renovación de la autorización del Instituto de Escuelas Autónomas (CSI). Cada escuela charter en Colorado necesita un autorizador: un distrito de la agencia o escuela que emite su carta y de los que sean responsables. Nuestra autorizador, CSI, es un organismo de ámbito estatal que tiene más de treinta escuelas en su cartera. Cada cinco años se deben presentar una serie de documentos a ellos (los logros estudiantiles, políticas, plan estratégico, estatutos, información financiera, etc.) para CSI para nosotros tener en cuenta para la autorización continua. La presentación de la información se debe al final del mes. Estaremos invitados a discutir nuestra solicitud de reautorización con la Junta de CSI en noviembre y aprender sobre nuestra renovada carta en diciembre. Voy a mantendremos informado sobre nuestro progreso. Elecciones de la Junta se llevarán a cabo el 23 de Octubre durante nuestra Festival de Diversión anual. Hasta ahora, nuestros dos titulares, Bee Waters y Monica Mendoza, va a correr para los términos de tres años. Si quiere correr para la Junta, por favor obtenga una copia de su curriculum vitae y una declaración acerca de por qué quiere estar en el Consejo de Administración y lo que va a añadir a la Junta en Octubre 5. Vamos a celebrar un Foro con los candidatos a la Junta el 8 de Octubre a las 7 pm en el lobby del K-8 Edificio siguientes conferencias con los padres. Un foro adicional se llevará a cabo el 13 de Octubre a las 3:30 pm en la cafetería de Escuela Preparatoria para los profesores y el personal. Déjame decirte una vez más lo importante que eres para nuestra escuela. Ayúdanos considerando correr para un asiento del Consejo o un asiento en nuestro Consejo Consultivo (póngase en contacto con Jennifer Archuleta [email protected] para más información); servir en el PTO, lo que estamos tratando de revitalizar; o ser voluntario (en contacto para obtener información Eddee Chávez [email protected]). Apoyar nuestra rifa del Otoño para paquetes de boletos para los Broncos, Avs, y los Nuggets; asistir al Festival de Diversión; y participando en Pinnacle Bingo en el Oasis los Lunes por la tarde son otras formas de ayudar nuestra escuela. Una dato importante más de información: POR FAVOR, no conduzca o estacione en los carriles de fuego por ninguna razón. Corre el riesgo de una multa si lo hace. Somos Pinnacle! Doc

Fechas importantes para recordar: 02 de Octubre: Recaudación de Fondos Dress Down Día 07 de Octubre: Recaudación de Fondos Dress Down Día 08 de Octubre: No hay clases para K-8 / K-8 Conferencias de padres y maestros 12:00-8PM 08 de Octubre: 9 al 12 es un día completo de clases / Conferencias de Padres y Maestros 9-12 3:45pm-7:00pm 09 de Octubre: No hay clases K-12-K-8 Conferencias 8 AM-4PM/9 al 12 Conferencias 8 am-11 am 12 de Octubre: Concierto del Coro Escolar a las 6 p.m. en el Centro de Eventos 13 de Octubre: Concierto del Otoño de Banda para las 6 p.m. en el Centro de Eventos 16 de Octubre: Recaudación de Fondos Dress Down Día 19 de Octubre: Escuela Reunión de la Junta a 5 p.m. en el Salón de Actos Escuela Preparatoria 23 de Octubre: Festival de Diversión y Elección de la Junta Escolar 23 de Octubre: Recaudación de Fondos Dress Down Día 30 de Octubre: Recaudación de Fondos Dress Down Día Aviso a los Padres de Primaria / Guardianes y Estudiantes: Los fondos obtenidos de Primaria de Dress Down días se distribuirán a las actividades y servicios para los estudiantes. Artes de Pinnacle Noticias de Banda concierto de banda del otoño será el Martes 13 de Octubre a las 6 p.m. en el Centro de Eventos. Por favor, marque esto en su calendario, y asegúrese de que su estudiante ha apropiadamente ajustado traje negro de conciertos una semana antes. Habrá una reunión de padres de la Escuela Preparatoria de 7:45PM-8:15PM en el salón de banda en el Centro de Eventos siguiendo el concierto para discutir cuáles son nuestras metas para este año. Noticias de la Escuela de Coro- Escuela Secundaria Concierto "Viaje de Descubrimiento" (también conocido como El Concierto Día de Cristóbal Colón) Lunes, 12 de Octubre a las 6:00 pm en el Centro de Eventos Únete a nosotros en la celebración Día de Cristóbal Colón como queremos homenajear a la música maravillosa y diversa de Centro y Sur América, cantar de los viajes a las costas misteriosas y compartir la "historia real" del fatídico viaje de Colón en 1492. Este concierto es GRATIS para los amigos , la familia, el personal de Pinnacle y público en general. Horario de Tutoría para La Escuela Seundaria Ahora tenemos tutoría disponible para todos los grados de la escuela secundaria en los siguiendo días y horarios se indican a continuación: Sexto Matemáticas (habitación 404) - segundo y cuarto Martes 07 a.m.-08 a.m. Ciencia (habitación 607) - primero y tercero Lunes 3:30PM-4:30PM Estudios Sociales (habitación 406) - 1 y 3 Miércoles 7AM -8AM Artes del Lenguaje (habitación 401) - segundo y cuarto Miércoles 07 a.m.-08 a.m. Séptimo Matemáticas (habitación 706) - Martes 3:30PM-4:30PM Artes del Lenguaje (habitación 701) - Martes 3:30PM-4:30PM Octavo Matemáticas (Suplentes cada semana o en la habitación 504 o 506) - Jueves 3:30PM-4:30PM Artes del Lenguaje (habitación 707) - Martes 3:30PM-4:30PM

Voluntarios / Oportunidades de recaudación de fondos Box Tops y Etiquetas para la Educación Box Tops y Etiquetas para la Educación son programas que benefician a nuestra Escuela de Primaria. Tapas de cajas y etiquetas de los envases son recogidos por los estudiantes, presentados a cada maestro del salón de clases, y contados mensual. Las dos primeras clases ganan el derecho a elegir entre un surtido de artículos relacionados con la escuela que reflejan sus totales de recaudación. Materiales adicionales son adquiridos para uso de toda la escuela. Estos pueden incluir juegos cooperativos, juegos de libros de clase, y los componentes del centro de alfabetización. Por favor considerar la donación de sus tapas de cajas y etiquetas a la maestra de su estudiante. Gracias por su esfuerzo para apoyar a nuestra escuela! ** Por favor, póngase en contacto con nuestro Coordinador de Voluntarios, Eddee Chávez, a la ext. 1126 si usted está interesado en ser voluntario en El Pinnacle. ** ** Siempre estamos aceptando donaciones de uniformes usados en buen estado. Por favor, siéntase libre de dejar estos artículos fuera de la recepción del edificio K-8 —————————————————————————————————————————————————Rifa Cada estudiante recibirá un libro de cuatro boletos para vender. Verifique con su hijo para el 15 de septiembre para ver la página de instrucción y sobre con boletos Los estudiantes tendrán cinco semanas para vender entradas. Cada boleto es sólo $5. Primer premio es de 2 boletos a un juego de los Broncos / Raiders y con el paquete de una fiesta en el estacionamiento y $100 tarjeta de regalo Visa, Segundo premio es de 2 boletos a un juego de Avalanche / Blackhawks y una tarjeta de regalo Visa de $100 Tercer premio es de 2 boletos a un juego de Nuggets / Warriors y una tarjeta de regalo Visa de $ 100. El sorteo de la rifa se llevará a cabo en el Festival de Diversión el 23 de Octubre a las 7pm Si usted desea vender más entradas, simplemente póngase en contacto con Julie Aragon. Los fondos se beneficiarán las actividades estudiantiles. Por favor dirija sus preguntas acerca de este sorteo a Julie al 303-450-3985 ext. 1002 Gracias por hacer la diferencia para El Pinnacle Charter School. —————————————————————————————————————————————————-

Noticias de la Clase Kindergarten: Nuestra primera excursión al zoológico de Denver fue un éxito! ¡Gracias a todos nuestros voluntarios. No seríamos capaces de tener salidas de campo sin su ayuda. Kindergarten ha comenzado a integrar en su uso de los iPads plan de estudios y los utiliza a diario en clase, tanto para lectura y matemáticas. Asegúrese de revisar el sitio web de tu maestro para información actualizada sobre lo que está pasando en el salón de su estudiante. Gracias por todo su apoyo en el hogar . Primer Grado: Hemos tenido un gran comienzo. Hemos estado trabajando con nuestros iPads en clase. Vamos a aprender más acerca de de las reglas de la escuela en Estudios Sociales, junto con la comprensión de lo que están hechos los objetos en la Ciencia. Vamos a estudiar la escritura narrativa personal y centrándose en la lectura de historias que nos ayudan con lo que nos hace especiales. Por favor, recuerde que el clima está cambiando y los estudiantes deben llevar una chaqueta para el recreo. También, por favor ayude a su estudiante a recordar una snack para el recreo, junto con entregar sus registros de tarea cada Lunes. Por favor, recuerde juguetes no están permitidos en el patio de recreo. Gracias por su apoyo en el hogar, y por favor, háganos saber si usted tiene alguna pregunta. Segundo Grado: .Nuestros estudiantes de segundo grado han tenido un gran comienzo este año. Vamos a aprender acerca de la tecnología y las herramientas de la ciencia en el mes de Octubre, así como las plantas y los animales. Vamos a estudiar leyes en la comunidad en Estudios Sociales. Nos vamos a centrar en hacer, lo que confirma, y la revisión de nuestras predicciones, como leemos en la Alfabetización. También estaremos aprendiendo acerca de los nombres, plurales y posesivos (es decir, perros de John). Gracias por ayudar a su estudiante en casa con una rutina regular, punto, y el tiempo para hacer la tarea . Que tengan un buen mes. Tercer Grado: Tercer grado explorarán Lectura Maravillas Unidad 2: entenderlo en Octubre. En esa unidad, estaremos expuestos a Ficción histórica, texto expositivo, y la Poesía. Vamos a discutir la elección de palabras, compartir ideas y trabajar en la organización en la escritura. Vamos a identificar los nombres en singular y plural, prefijos, sufijos, los nombres posesivos y símiles en Gramática. Estaremos en el Tema 3: Uso de Valor posicional de adición y sustracción en Matemáticas. Más tarde comenzaremos Tema 4: Significados de multiplicación. Vamos a aprender sobre el Gobierno de Estados Unidos y sus ramas y niveles (ciudad, estado, nacional) en Estudios Sociales. Por último, vamos a clasificar las plantas y aprender cómo utilizan las raíces y los tallos de crecer en la Ciencia. No se olvide de vender boletos de la rifa asistir al Festival de Diversión en la escuela el Viernes 23 de Octubre! Cuarto Grado: Qué gran grupo de alumnos de 4 grado contamos este año y un maravilloso equipo de profesores. Siempre recuerde de hablar sobre su día de su estudiante con ellos, artículos de revisión que vienen a casa para que sean conscientes de los éxitos de su hijo, y compartir eso con ellos. Palabras de aliento son tan necesarias en la vida de su estudiante. Además, mantener un puesto de observación para oportunidades de voluntariado, Festival de Diversión, Noche de Alfabetización y excursiones de cuarto grado que se están acercando rápidamente. Como con todo lo que hacemos en la escuela, que no sería posible con su ayuda y apoyo, por lo que nuestro equipo espera contar con su presencia. No dude en ponerse en contacto con cualquier profesor de cuarto grado si usted tiene algún comentario o preocupación. Fifth Grade: Gracias por todas las familias que asistieron a Rolls for Role Models 01 de Octubre . También estamos muy emocionados por nuestra Read-A-Thon para recaudar fondos para nuestra excursión a Ameritowne en Marzo. Escuela 9-12: Nuestra Escuela Preparatoria Semana del Espíritu será el 5 de Octubre hasta el 8 de Octubre. El partido de fútbol Homecoming será el 10 de Octubre en Escuela Preparatoria de Westminster a las 1:30 pm contra Middle Park. Consejo Estudiantil estara teniendo un baile de regreso a casa para los grados 9-12 el Sábado 10 de Octubre. También estaremos corriendo el partido de fútbol Powder Puff antes de las conferencias de padres y maestros el Jueves 8 de Octubre. 06 de Octubre es inscripción simultánea en Front Range Community College 06 de Octubre, 13, 20, y 27 de 2:45-4:00pm El Centro de Consejería estara teniendo Ayuda para la universidad para los estudiantes en el Centro de Medios de Comunicación de PHS.October 12th es la Noche de Padres en PHS - Vida Después de la Escuela November 5th is Parent Night at PHS – ASSENT/ACENT Presentation

April 2016 Newsletter www.pinnaclecsi.org 303-450-3985

The Mission of The Pinnacle Charter School is: To educate students to attain superior levels of academic performance by: Creating a safe, supportive school community Fostering a structured environment to prepare students for college and career Using data and state standards to support learning Striving for excellence in everything we do.

Dear Pinnacle Parents: Along with Spring comes the State Assessment season. Just as the budding and blooming of trees tell us that warm weather is just around the corner, appearance of the PARCC, CMAS, Galileo, and DIBELS signal the final months of the school year and the time to see how much our students have progressed. How well we do on the State and end-of-the-year assessments underlies our State Accreditation rating which must improve in the Elementary and Middle schools and continue at the Performance level in High School. Your support and encouragement of your students is crucial to assure that they do their best. I want to compliment you for your calmness and willingness to work with us during the school evacuation last month. As you may know, we had no other choice than to continue evacuating the K-8 building to Water World: even after we found out that the call to the police about an active shooter in the school was bogus. The Federal Heights police continue their investigation to find the caller. I was impressed by the behavior of our kids and the cooperation of our staff and the various agencies who responded and assisted throughout the day. While I hope this never happens again at The Pinnacle, I can assure you that our students and employees are well prepared for any emergency situation. The art programs at The Pinnacle continue to produce outstanding students who do outstanding work. Sophomore Jacob Del Hierro’s ceramics piece was selected for exhibit at the Denver Art Museum: the first time a 3-D work by a Pinnacle student has been shown. Martin Zapata, a Junior, won the Colorado Department of Education ‘I am a Student of Culture’ art contest. Students in our music program are selected to play in county and state-wide bands and orchestras. It’s these types of programs that capture student’s interest and help them to grow and excel. It’s these types of programs that I hope will expand and set The Pinnacle apart from other schools. To this end, folks have created a foundation in my name to support the arts and provide some financial help to students seeking to continue their education in the arts when they have graduated. Please take a look at the article on the next page to learn more about the Foundation and how you can help. It’s been very helpful to include Dr. Brian Recht, the incoming Superintendent of The Pinnacle, in our budgeting process for the next school year. This is a part of making a smooth transition to new leadership. Dr. Recht will be joining us full time in mid-May. Sincerely yours,

Doc William K. Wiener, Ph.D.

Important Dates to Remember: April 8: Dress Down Day Fundraiser April 15: Dress Down Day Fundraiser April 18: School Board Meeting at 5PM in the High School Lecture Hall April 22: Dress Down Day Fundraiser April 25: No School—Teacher In-Service Day April 28: Skate City Fundraiser at Skate City Westminster from 6PM-8PM April 29: Dress Down Day Fundraiser 11th Annual Pinnacle 5K Our 11th annual Pinnacle 5K will be happening on May 6th at 9AM for all 5th-12th grade students. All family and friends are welcome to participate in the race starting at 9AM. Registration forms are located at both the High School and K-8 front offices. The cost for non-student participants is $25 (includes Pinnacle 5K shirt). Forms are due to Justen Susuras by 4/8/16. Come out and join in. Contact Justen Susuras at [email protected] for more information. ————————————————————————————————————————————————--

Field Day May 10th- Kinder & 1st grade May 11th- 2nd & 3rd grade May 12th – 4th & 5th grade 10AM—1PM *More details to follow*

————————————————————————————————————————————————-Pinnacle Arts Scholarship Opportunity!

The William K. Wiener foundation is in honor of Dr. William K. Wiener (Doc) who served as a leader in education for more than 50 years and led the Pinnacle Charter School for 11 strong years establishing Pinnacle as one of Colorado’s largest charter schools. Dr. Wiener has a passion for the arts and was instrumental in creating opportunities for all students to experience, taste, and excel in music, dance, drama, visual, and technical arts. Dr. Wiener will retire from Pinnacle in 2016, and this scholarship program is designed to continue his legacy in promoting and encouraging young minds to explore and achieve in the many and wondrous fields of art. Pinnacle art scholarships are awarded to Pinnacle students showing exceptional skill, desire, and talent in any one of the many fields of art and will be continuing their education in the arts at an institution of higher learning. Below is a link to the Foundation Web-site and application – applications due April 15th, 2016. http://pinnaclecharter.wix.com/pinnaclefoundation ————————————————————————————————————————————————-1st Annual Charter School Academic Fair Congratulations to all our Pinnacle students who participated in the 1st Annual Charter School Academic Fair at Crown Pointe Academy on February 27th. Elementary Spelling Bee: Kylie Simpson took 3rd place. Antoneo Molina took 1st place. Middle School Spelling Bee: 6th grader Andrew Torres took 3rd place. Middle School Science Fair: Scott Enriquez took home a 3rd place win. Middle School Math Competition: Scott Enriquez, Riley Estes, Noelia Salazar, and Emily Gonzales worked together to take 3rd place. Middle School Geography Bee: The team of Crystal Bui, Scott Enriquez, Emily Gonzales, and Jason Scanlon took 2nd place. The team of Vivian Che, Jason Ulrich, Johnavon Vang, and Andrez Molina took 1st place. Elementary School Geography Bee: The team of Dawver Essalam, Nicholas Franch, Hussain Nessari, and Mia SilvaSoledad took 3rd place. The team of Emily Arrieta-Silva, Angel Fonesca, Anthony Solorrio, and Antoneo Molina won the 2nd place trophy.

The Pinnacle Boomerangs Pinnacle Boomerangs share stories of employees who left The Pinnacle and made the decision to return. With open arms and happy hearts we welcome Devon Sager and Mindy Turner back to our school. Below is a discussion about their decisions to return: Ms. Turner I missed Pinnacle students terribly. I wanted to return and work with this student body again. They are kind, hardworking, trustworthy children. They are truly a unique bunch that I am lucky to work with, and I love being back. Ms. Sager I love the technology we have available to our students, and even though at first the new curriculums posed several challenges, I grew to really enjoy teaching it and having all the resources that accompanied it. I also really enjoy our demographic. It does have its challenges, as well, but I feel that pushes me to become a better educator and to really adapt lessons to reach every type of learner. Finally, I greatly appreciate all the opportunities for professional development that we are provided throughout the school year. Thank you for allowing me to return! ———————————————————————————————————————————————CMAS and CMAS:PARCC Testing From March 15th until April 29th, grades 3-9 & 11 will be taking the CMAS and CMAS:PARCC testing. Testing season can be very stressful for students. Below are some suggestions to better prepare your students for these assessments..

   

Get a good night’s sleep. Eat a healthy breakfast. Be on time to school. Be present for all scheduled test sessions, and stay for the whole day.

Make sure doctor appointments are not scheduled on testing days. Visit our website for more information, including a calendar of when grade levels are testing: http://www.thepinnacleweb.org/ - Click on Departments/Assessment ———————————————————————————————————————————————From the Middle School Counseling Office  April is Child Abuse Prevention Month. Everyone in the community plays a role in the prevention of child abuse and neglect. Please call 1-844-CO-4-Kids to report child abuse and neglect.  The end of the school year is near. Please consider tutoring for your students who could benefit from some extra help!  The High School will be hosting a meeting for all 8th grade parents on April 25th from 10am to 12:15pm. This is a great time to meet and greet the high school staff, get a tour of the school, learn about the graduation requirements and many more important details of your student’s high school years. Students will be registering for next year’s classes soon! ———————————————————————————————————————————————Volunteer/Fundraising Opportunities Box Tops and Labels for Education Box Tops and Labels for Education are programs that benefit our Elementary School. Box tops and labels from containers are collected by students, submitted to individual classroom teachers, and tallied monthly. The top two classrooms earn the right to choose from an assortment of school related items that reflect their collection totals. Additional materials are purchased for school-wide use. These can include cooperative games, class book sets, and literacy center components. Please consider collecting and donating your box tops and labels to your student’s classroom teacher. Thank you for your effort to support our school! ———————————————————————————————————– **Please contact our Volunteer Coordinator, Eddee Chavez, at ext. 1126 if you are interested in volunteering at The Pinnacle.** **We are always accepting donations of gently used uniforms. Please feel free to drop these items off at the front desk of the K-8 building.**

The Doc Open Golf Tournament May 27, 2016 Hyland Hills Golf Course, Westminster, CO

Parents, ask the company you work for, your family, and friends to support our golf tournament. Funds raised will support the Pinnacle Arts Program. All Pinnacle Families and Friends are encouraged to sign up to play golf for $120 or miniature golf for $50. Let the companies you work for know about Sponsorship opportunities. For more info visit: https://docs-golf-tournament.cheddarup.com or call 303-450-3985 ext. 1013. Thank you for your support!

—————————————————————————————————————————————————-Library News The Spring Book Fair is coming: April 8 – 15. We will be open until 7PM for Family Night on Tuesday, April 12. We need your help dur ing the Book Fair . Please call Mr s. Stainton at 720-274-2047 if you are interested in volunteering. Researching K - 12 -Did you know our students can read The Denver Post on their iPads or home computers? Visit the Library site on thepinnacleweb.org to find the username and password in the “RESOURCE” section. -Did you know our students can access research material for their Science, Social Studies, or Language Arts projects using our subscription to EBSCO? Visit the Library site on thepinnacleweb.org to find the username and password in the “RESOURCE” section. Book Circulation As we move into spring, we get closer to the end of the school year. The Library is requesting your help in making certain your student’s library books are returned to the library on time. Help them to learn the concept of “responsible borrowing.” New additions to our digital books NEW**** Holiday titles, Spanish language folktales and poetry, and several middle and upper grade level fiction ebooks have been added. You may access this through our Library site as described above. —————————————————————————————————————————————————-From the Transportation Department Beginning in May, the Transportation Department will accept bus applications for the 2016-2017 school year. The application will be available on the Pinnacle website under Departments/Transportation. ALL bus riders, including current and past riders, must complete an application for the 2016-2017 school year. ALL applicants must wait for application approval from the Transportation Department. Bus fees must be paid in full before the student can ride the bus for the 2016-2017 school year. Part Time Bus Drivers Needed The Pinnacle is looking for part time bus drivers. We are willing to train. Please contact Andrea Meyer-Pemble at ext. 1015 for more information.

Dress Code Violations and Proper Dress Attire Dear Parents, We have seen the following dress code violations on a daily basis by students K-12: Jeans Boy and Girl students are wearing jeans during regular school days. Skinny pants Pants that are way too tight and/or made of stretchy material. Leggings Leggings and/or sweat pant material pants. Friday wear Students are wearing Friday wear (T-Shirts with various Pinnacle slogans) Monday through Thursday. Friday wear is only allowed on Fridays. Also, Shirts with no collars Sweatshirts with hoods on them Caps and hats Professional Sports attire Unnatural hair color, green, pink, blue When students ignore the dress code it creates problems for the school Kindergarten through 12th grade. It takes up time and resources to address all of these violations. It takes time from student academic learning when they are sent to the dean’s office for violations. The proper dress code from the time students enter the building is: Navy blue or khaki slacks or skirts for girls according to the policy. If wearing pants, a belt must be worn as well. Navy blue collared shirts. Shirts must be tucked in at all times. Navy blue sweatshirts without hoods. – If students must wear a hoodie on the way to school to keep warm, it must be placed in his/her locker before school begins. Navy blue sweaters and jackets only are allowed when worn during the day in the building. Parents, we need your support with the dress code. We are providing an example of what not to buy your students when shopping for school uniforms. Students who choose to violate the dress code will face consequences when sent to the dean’s office.

School Uniform Resources

Pinnacle parents now have another option for purchasing school uniforms at Lands’ End. Visit landsend.com and enter our school code 900171828. Here are the benefits by shopping at Lands’ End: · Shopping

at our Lands’ End webpage takes the hassle out of trying to find clothing that is school approved.

 A percentage of the money you spend will come back to our school once

we exceed $1000 in sales.  Parents can request a school logo on certain items.

Lands’ End is known for its promotional discounts, which make quality uniforms affordable for everyone. Visit Landsend.com today.

Educational Outfitters is a resource for parents to purchase school uniforms. Visit their website for more information: http:// denver.educationaloutfitters.com/find-myschool/pinnacle-charter-school/

Classroom News Kindergarten: Kinder gar ten will have a field tr ip to the Childr en’s Museum at the end of Apr il. First Grade: Welcome back, and thank you for your hard work over Spring Break! We are in the final stretch to the end of the year, so it is really important to keep reading, practicing sight words, and completing math homework. If we want students to be ready for their end of year assessments, we need to have them practice, practice, practice. Please remember to send your student with a healthy snack for their afternoon recess. No toys should be brought to school. The weather can change quickly, so please have your student bring a light jacket even if the season has changed. Only closed toed shoes should be worn to school for the safety of all students, both in the classroom and on the playground. Thank you for your support at home. Please let your student’s teacher know if you have any questions. Second Grade: Happy spring! We hope everyone had an enjoyable Spring Break. Our second graders will be learning about how humans impact the environment in positive and negative ways this month in Social Studies. We will study energy, motion, and force in Science. This is always a favorite unit. We will continue with the expository genre, now focusing on writing “How-To” pieces. This will involve describing “how to” do things, such as procedures and directions in written form. Please be sure your student is dressed for the ever-changing spring weather. Thank you for your support at home. Third Grade: Third grade will take the state PARCC (Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers) test for the first time in April. During testing, it is especially important that kids get enough sleep, eat a good breakfast, and arrive at school on time. You can practice at home on a computer or tablet (ideally with a keyboard) by visiting parcc.pearson.com/practice-tests. We will be taking the English Language Arts/Literacy and Mathematics tests. We will also be covering our Wonders Unit 5: What Helps You Understand the World Around You? We will move from Topic 14 (Area) to Topic 15 (Liquid, Volume, and Mass) in Math. We will explore ecosystems in Science. We will learn about how our nation has grown in Social Studies. Be sure to check your student’s teacher’s website, e-mails, and Class Dojo for updates. Fourth Grade: Ther e is a lot happening in 4th grade for the month of April! We are very excited for our second 4th Grade SOLE Family Nature Night on Thur sday, Apr il 7th, fr om 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. We look forward to seeing all of our students and families there. Fourth graders will have math PARCC testing on April 19: Math Unit 1 – a.m. testing, April 20: Math Unit 2 – a.m. testing, April 21: Math Unit 3 – a.m. testing, and April 22: Math Unit 4 – a.m. testing. We will be reading historical fiction and writing about our history’s past, present and future in Literacy. We will be completing our fraction unit and then move into measurement in Math. We will be covering forms of energy and what heat is in Science. We will be learning about Colorado: the Centennial State in Social Studies. Fifth Grade: It is that time of year again. We ar e going to be doing PARCC Liter acy and Math testing as well as CMAS Science testing. Please ensure that your student gets some extra rest, eats healthy, and arrives at school on time. If you would like to donate healthy snacks, please send them to your student’s homeroom teacher. Thank you! Attention 6th Grade Families Our 6th grade field trip to Outdoor Education is April 6-8th. Please keep in mind the following reminders regarding your student’s arrival to school on Wednesday and departure on Friday. Contact Ms. Kraus at ext. 1070 if you have questions. Drop off/Pick up Procedures:  Students cannot ride the bus to school with their luggage. Parents must drop their student off at school on Wednesday and pick them up from school on Friday.  Students can begin arriving on Wednesday, April 6th, at 7AM to drop off luggage.  Luggage will be dropped off at the west side of the parking lot (by the Event Center).  Students will enter the school at 8:05AM on Wednesday and will find out their group assignments before we leave.  Students can be picked up upon return to the school on Friday, April 8th. We usually return around 2:30PM. You will need to sign your student out with a 6th grade teacher before they can leave. Siblings will not be released unless prior arrangements have been made with the Front Office. High School Art Show The High School Art Show will run May 2nd—7th. We will be showcasing around 400 pieces of both 2-D and 3-D art including; drawings, paintings, ceramics, accordion books, and paper sculptures.

Nov. 2015 Newsletter www.pinnaclecsi.org 303-450-3985

The Mission of The Pinnacle Charter School is: To educate students to attain superior levels of academic performance by: Creating a safe, supportive school community Fostering a structured environment to prepare students for college and career Using data and state standards to support learning Striving for excellence in everything we do.

Dear Pinnacle Parents:

My congratulations to Bee Waters and Monica Mendoza on their re-election to our Board of Directors. Their desire and dedication to pursue full three year terms on our Board and guide us on the road ahead for The Pinnacle is commendable and appreciated. On behalf of our Board, let me invite you to come to our monthly Board meetings. The next meeting is on November 16 in the Lecture Hall of the High School. Your attendance will be appreciated. One of the tasks the Board of Directors will be dealing with this year is the hiring of my replacement. Thus, far, we have narrowed down the list of applicants to six people we will be inviting to campus for interviews with our search committee: most likely throughout the month of January. In addition to the interview, we will be asking each candidate to do a presentation to staff and parents followed by a Question/Answer session. You will be invited to attend these presentations and provide us with your feedback about the candidates. We want as many members of our community to have input into the selection of the new Executive Director. We shall be widely publicizing the dates and times of these presentations. I hope that many of you will participate. Translation services will be available. Thank you for your support of our Fall Fun Fest and Raffle. Together, these events brought in almost $14,000 to benefit our students. While this is great, the amount we made this year is about $10,000 less than what we made last year. This raises some questions about the raffle, Fun Fest, and other fund raising events we’ve sponsored. Are you getting bored with them? Are the raffle prizes not worth buying tickets for? What would you like us to do differently? I’d love to get your feedback about our fundraisers. Please drop Julie Aragon, my assistant who has taken on the responsibility of arranging these fundraisers, or me an e-mail to let us know your thoughts and ideas. Our addresses: [email protected]; [email protected] Unfortunately, fundraising is a necessary evil for schools. We’ve tried to do away with countless sales of things like wrapping paper, cookie dough, and discount books throughout the year and focus upon events like Fun Fest, the Raffle, and Monday Night Bingo at the Oasis as our main fundraisers: fundraisers which give an opportunity for you and your family to have fun and win some prizes. (By the way, for those of you who have stayed away from Bingo to watch Monday Night Football, the good news is that you can watch the game at the Oasis on their TVs). Our thinking was that you would rather spend money to support your school on things which are enjoyable than on overpriced items of questionable quality. One more item, before I close this letter and wish you a Happy Thanksgiving. Your response to giving us your e-mail addresses so you can access the parent portal on Infinite Campus has been great. Please sign on to the portal. This will activate your account and enable us to send you informational e-mails. You have my best wishes for a wonderful Thanksgiving! Sincerely yours, Doc William K. Wiener, Ph.D. Executive Director – The Pinnacle

Important Dates to Remember: Nov. 6: Dress Down Day Fundraiser Nov. 11: No School—Veteran’s Day Nov. 13: Dress Down Day Fundraiser Nov. 16: School Board Meeting at 5PM in the High School Lecture Hall Nov. 20: Dress Down Day Fundraiser Nov. 23-27: No School—Thanksgiving Break Nov. 30: No School—Teacher In-Service Day

Follow us on Twitter! The Pinnacle @PCS Timberwolves

Visit our Facebook Page at https://www.facebook.com/Pinnacle-Charter-School

————————————————————————————————————————————-TIMBERWOLF SPIRIT RAFFLE WINNERS ARE: 1ST PRIZE: George Vasquez, Ticket # 3250 2nd PRIZE: Diane DeHerrera, Ticket #4551 3RD PRIZE: Patty Acosta, Ticket #0519 We would like to thank everyone for the support with selling and buying raffle tickets! Thank you for making a difference at The Pinnacle. ————————————————————————————————————————————-Now Hiring Substitute Teachers The Pinnacle Charter School is currently hiring Substitute Teachers. If you or someone you know would be interested in becoming a substitute for Pinnacle, please contact Allison Neil for additional information at 303450-3985, ext. 1024, or by email at [email protected]. ————————————————————————————————————————————-Updated Fall Tutoring Schedule: 6th grade:  Math/Science (Alternates each week in either room 404 or 607): Mondays 3:30PM – 4:30PM  Social Studies/Language Arts (room 401): Wednesdays 7AM-8AM 7th grade:  Math (room 706): Tuesdays 3:30PM – 4:30PM  Language Arts (room 701): Tuesdays 3:30PM – 4:30PM

8th grade:  Math (Alternates each week in either room 504 or 506): Thursdays 3:30PM – 4:30PM  Language Arts (room 707): Tuesdays 3:30PM – 4:30PM The Pinnacle Arts The Pinnacle Music Department is proud to present: The Rocky Mountain Invitational Choral Festival Tuesday, November 17, 2015 at 6:30pm in the Pinnacle Event Center Auditorium The Pinnacle High School Choir will join choirs from several other Colorado schools to rehearse and perform high quality choral works under the direction of guest conductor Dr. Leila Heil. The concert is free and open to the public. Come support our amazing singers!

Volunteer/Fundraising Opportunities Box Tops and Labels for Education Box Tops and Labels for Education are programs that benefit our Elementary School. Box tops and labels from containers are collected by students, submitted to individual classroom teachers, and tallied monthly. The top two classrooms earn the right to choose from an assortment of school related items that reflect their collection totals. Additional materials are purchased for school-wide use. These can include cooperative games, class book sets, and literacy center components. Please consider collecting and donating your box tops and labels to your student’s classroom teacher. Thank you for your effort to support our school! ———————————————————————————————————– **Please contact our Volunteer Coordinator, Eddee Chavez, at ext. 1126 if you are interested in volunteering at The Pinnacle.** **We are always accepting donations of gently used uniforms. Please feel free to drop these items off at the front desk of the K-8 building.** —————————————————————————————————————————————————-Proceeds from the Student Support Services dress down day fundraisers are used to purchase materials to support the success of all students throughout our schools. These funds create opportunities to update instructional materials, replace aging equipment, and add resources to our collection. —————————————————————————————————————————————————Bingo Program We want to congratulate the students, staff, parents, and sponsors for a job well done. We also want others to know that our program is growing and very beneficial. Consider using the Bingo program to raise funds for your group. As you can see below, the more often you host a Monday night Bingo, the more money you will raise for your group. Asking the families of your groups to show their support by coming to play Bingo during the quarter and/or working the Bingo night is an important way to increase the amount raised.

Here is the outcome for the third quarter: July – September:

Group

Distribution

HS Girls BB

1,080.00

MSVB

270.00

Drama

540.00

Girl Scouts

270.00

Band

1,080.00

Total Distributed

3,240.00

Thank you for your support!

Classroom News Kindergarten: Fall is in the air and the holidays ar e r ight ar ound the cor ner . Thank you to ever yone who par ticipated in the October Pumpkin Project. The students enjoyed sharing them with their classmates,. Other grades were able to admire them in the hallway as they walked to recess. We are continuing to work on learning our letters and sounds, as well as mastering our first sound fluency in November. Remember to read to your child every night and share in their joy of learning. Please do not hesitate to contact your child's teacher if you have any questions. Communication is the key to success for your child's education! First Grade: The First Graders are continuing to work hard in class. We are studying how to take care of pets. We are reading about places we live, like the country or city. We are working on narrative stories and correct punctuation in Writing. We are excited to work with the Colorado Conservatory of Dance as we incorporate Science concepts like plants and animals while moving our bodies. Please remember to dress your student warmly as the weather changes. Students should be bringing a healthy snack for our afternoon recess, not candy and chips. Please continue to read to your student at night and have them read to you, even if it’s using a language other than English. This will help build their language and reading skills. Thank you for your support at home. Please let your student’s teacher know if you have any questions or concerns. Second Grade: It was wonderful to meet with all our parents at conferences last month. Thank you for taking the time to meet with us. Our second graders will be learning about laws in the community in Social Studies in November. We will be studying life cycles and how plants and animals grow and change in Science. Our focus in Literacy will be on understanding words with more than one meaning; rereading when we don’t understand; reading and using plural and possessive nouns; and using abbreviations and apostrophes. Thank you for helping your student at home! Third Grade: Third graders will be reading about themes that are “One of a Kind” in our Wonders curriculum. We’ll continue to work on multiplication facts in Math. We’ll be learning about plants and our natural environment in both Science and Social Studies. Fourth Grade: 4th grade has some exciting things going on this month! We will be going on a field trip to see the Denver Botanic Gardens. This will help us learn about the ecosystems that are right here in Colorado. Mrs. Lamb and Mrs. Downey have started a STEM club that is really taking off. Students have just finished their first project about Newton’s Law of Motion with eggs. Please remember that even though we have a lot going on, students are still required to complete classroom assignments and homework. Lastly, we will not be having any Thanksgiving Day parties. We will have a holiday party in the month of December. Please do not bring any treats before then. Thank you to everyone who has supported us so far this year. Fifth Grade: Families are invited to the 5th Grade Reading Fair on November 20th. Please join us in the Event Center during your child’s reading block time. Each student will dress up as a character from their book, display their poster, and give an oral presentation. Middle School; Outdoor Education Fieldtrip: One of the highlights of the year will be the Outdoor Education tr ip to Camp Id-Ra-Ha-Je in Bailey, Colorado April 6-8, 2016. This is a three day, two night trip. This Outdoor Education program is a great opportunity for your student, and we want all students to have the chance to participate. The cost is $160 per student. Each family is responsible for paying for their student. To help offset the cost, we had a fundraiser during September. Several students raised enough money to cover the entire cost of the trip. Parents can also make payments throughout the year. If you want to make monthly payments, please make a check out to PCS and have your child bring it to Ms. Kraus at any time. Additional Outdoor Education information and permission slips will go home in January. 6th Grade Bingo Fundraiser for Outdoor Education: We are hosting a Bingo Night on Monday, November 9th, to give parents one final opportunity to raise money for their student’s trip. We need 10 parents to volunteer to help collect money and assist in passing out Bingo supplies. It is a quick and easy process to learn. We will accept parent requests to volunteer on a first come, first served basis. Please contact Ms. Kraus at [email protected] if you are interested. Another way to assist our program is to come and play Bingo that night. The more people that come and play Bingo, the more money we can raise for our students! Invite your family and friends to come play Bingo on Monday, November 9th. Bingo Details: Bingo Oasis at 10657 Melody Drive, Northglenn Monday, November 9th 7:00PM-10:00PM

Dec. 2015/Jan. 2016 Newsletter www.pinnaclecsi.org 303-450-3985 The Mission of The Pinnacle Charter School is: To educate students to attain superior levels of academic performance by: Creating a safe, supportive school community Fostering a structured environment to prepare students for college and career Using data and state standards to support learning Striving for excellence in everything we do.

Dear Pinnacle Parents: Let me begin this month’s letter to you by congratulating our newly elected PTO Board: Joe Rojas, President; Jen Swedhin, Assistant Vice President; Priscilla Orozco, Treasurer; and Kayla Arellano, Secretary. Over the years, our Parent-Teacher Organization has had many starts and stops; however, this PTO Board seems to have the commitment to make this organization viable and sustainable. I urge you all to be a part of the PTO to make it the valuable piece of The Pinnacle it has the potential to become. We move into the Holiday Season with our Book Fair on December 4-10 and our bands in concert on December 15. This month also features our annual food drive. Please check our website for additional information about these events. An up-date about the next Executive Director search: interviews with five candidates will be held during the week of December 7. Our Search Committee, composed of four teachers; two non-teaching staff; and four administrators, will conduct the interviews and hear each candidate’s vision for The Pinnacle. The Committee will narrow the pool of candidates down to two-to-three finalists who will be invited back to campus in January to interview with the Administrative Team and the Board of Directors, do a presentation for the entire Pinnacle Community (parents and staff), and participate in a question-answer session. I’ll make sure you know well in advance the dates of the presentations so that you can participate and rate each candidate. Last month, we appeared before the Charter School Institute Board to discuss the renewal of our charter. As you know, all charter schools must be authorized by a school district or the Charter School Institute. Authorizations are granted for a specific number of years and are subject to periodic renewal or reauthorization. During the renewal process, the authorizer (in our case, The Charter School Institute-CSI) reviews a number of documents including our performance on State assessments. While our renewal will not be finalized until December 8 at the next CSI Board meeting, preliminary indications are that we will be reauthorized for three years with an additional two years pending our meeting a number of conditions including an improvement of our State and internal assessment scores. May there be peace on earth and good will to all! You have my wishes for a wonderful holiday season and a fine New Year. Sincerely yours,

Doc William K. Wiener, Ph.D. Executive Director

Important Dates to Remember: Dec. 4: Dress Down Day Fundraiser Dec. 7: School Board Meeting at 5PM in the High School Lecture Hall Dec. 11: Dress Down Day Fundraiser Dec. 15: Band and Choir Concert (5th-8th at 6PM/High School at 7:30PM) Dec. 18: Dress Down Day Fundraiser Dec. 21—Jan. 1st: No School-Winter Break Jan. 4: No School-Teacher Work Day Jan. 8: Dress Down Day Fundraiser Jan. 15: Dress Down Day Fundraiser Jan. 18: No School-MLK Day Jan. 22: Dress Down Day Fundraiser Jan. 29: Dress Down Day Fundraiser The Pinnacle Arts Band Events -High School Band Boosters Meeting: Thursday, December 3rd, at 5:30PM in the High School Band room -Band Choir Concert: Tuesday, December 15th (5th-8th grade at 6PM/High School at 7:30PM) 3rd and 4th Grade Art Contest Colorado Parks and Wildlife is holding an art contest for 3rd and 4th grade students. Students interested in entering the contest should see Mrs. McKay in room 501 for details.

_________________________________________________________________________________________ Library News It is Fall Book Fair time again. Clifford, the Big Red Dog, will once again be visiting our school. We will be open 8AM to 4PM daily from Friday, 12/4, through Thursday, 12/10. We will be open for Family Night with a special Class Raffle prize on Tuesday, 12/8, from 4PM to 7PM. The Book Fair will close at 11AM on Friday, 12/11, so we can pack up. Volunteers are still needed if you are a currently approved volunteer. Call 720-274-2047 for more information or to sign up to volunteer. Visit our Library website under “Departments” to read about resources available to our students.

————————————————————————————————————————————-PTO We would like to introduce the new PTO Board for Pinnacle. Please welcome: President – Jose Rojas Vice President – Jen Swedhin Secretary – Kayla Arellano Treasurer – Priscilla Orozco We encourage parents to attend the next meeting on Tuesday, December 1st, at 6:00PM. K-12 Spanish translation is available at each meeting. When you see them in school, give them a special hello and congratulate them for volunteering to make a difference in our school!

_________________________________________________________________________________________

Congratulations to the First Prize Raffle Winner! Isabella Vasquez’s grandfather, George Vasquez, bought the First Prize winning raffle ticket. He is a true Broncos fan who is very excited to have won. Thank you for your support!

.

Volunteer/Fundraising Opportunities Box Tops and Labels for Education Box Tops and Labels for Education are programs that benefit our Elementary School. Box tops and labels from containers are collected by students, submitted to individual classroom teachers, and tallied monthly. The top two classrooms earn the right to choose from an assortment of school related items that reflect their collection totals. Additional materials are purchased for school-wide use. These can include cooperative games, class book sets, and literacy center components. Please consider collecting and donating your box tops and labels to your student’s classroom teacher. Thank you for your effort to support our school! ———————————————————————————————————– **Please contact our Volunteer Coordinator, Eddee Chavez, at ext. 1126 if you are interested in volunteering at The Pinnacle.** **We are always accepting donations of gently used uniforms. Please feel free to drop these items off at the front desk of the K-8 building.** —————————————————————————————————————————————————-Assessment Information CMAS-PARCC Score Reports The Colorado Department of Education has released results for how our students performed last spring on the new state assessments in English language arts and math. These assessments are often referred to as “PARCC tests” because they were developed by a consortium of states called the Partnership for Assessments in Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC). These tests are part of the state’s overall assessment system, the Colorado Measures of Academic Success (CMAS), which also includes tests in science and social studies.

State-level results for English language arts and math were released on November 12. They will be followed by school and district-level results in December. Individual student results will be sent home by the Pinnacle Assessment Department. When you receive your student’s individual score report, please keep in mind that these scores cannot be compared to old test scores. The new tests measure different things, such as a student’s ability to think critically and problem solve – skills that are critical to success in college and career in the 21st Century. You may remember that Colorado implemented new academic standards in 2013-14 that raised the bar with higher expectations for all students. Our new tests are aligned to those academic standards, and they are indeed more rigorous than past tests. This is a good thing, as we are striving to ensure that all students are truly prepared for college and career when they graduate from high school. But with change may come some growing pains, and your child’s test scores may be lower than what you saw before. This is not permanent. It is likely that scores will start rising again as students and teachers get used to the higher standards and become better prepared to meet the more challenging material.

Also, remember that these tests were given at end of the previous school year. They represent a single point in time, and are just one of the many factors that can be used together to provide a complete picture of your student’s progress. Scores always take longer to produce during the first year of any new test, but in future years, we expect to receive our student’s scores much earlier to help inform teachers’ instruction for the coming school year. The new CMAS-PARCC Score Reports you will receive show whether your student met grade-level expectations at the end of last year and if your student is on track for college and careers. Resources to help you understand these new score reports are available at http://www.cde.state.co.us/communications/resourcesforparents. You can use these scores during conversations with your student’s teacher about enrichments or additional supports that are available to help your child meet grade-level expectations and graduate ready for college and career success.

Classroom News Kindergarten: Our tur key family pr oject was amazing. We have r eceived compliments on them fr om all over the school. Our Kindergarteners are so proud to display their work and hear all of the positive feedback. Please keep an eye out for our next family project and details about our Winter celebrations. First Grade: Hello from First Grade. This month in Reading and Social Studies, we are studying communities including various jobs, buildings around towns, and using maps. We are also finishing up our plants and animals unit in Science as we are studying parts of plants and classifying groups of animals. Please remember to have your student bring a coat and boots, if necessary, for playing at recess. Be sure to join us at our Cozy Read event on December 17 th – more details to come. Please make sure to continue to read, practice sight words and practice math over the Winter Break so everyone comes back ready to learn. Thank you, as always, for your help and support at home. Happy Holidays! Second Grade: In December and January, our second graders will be busy learning about our country’s symbols in Social Studies. We will also be learning about map skills. We will study the solar system in Science. Our focus in Writing in December will be on fictional narratives, or make-believe stories. We will move on to letter writing in January. We will also be studying adverbs and possessives in Grammar. Thank you for continuing to work with your student at home on reading and completing homework! Third Grade: Third grade will start Reading Wonders Unit 4: Meet the Challenge in January. We will explore grammar, learning about contractions, irregular verbs, and metaphors among other things. In Math, we will introduce fractions, which can be very difficult for young kids to understand. Please work at home and feel free to ask how you can help. We will talk more about our communities and “dig up” LOTS of information about rocks and minerals: a very important third grade topic. Regular spelling tests will continue to expand vocabularies and build skills. Reading at home is extremely important, so you may find your teacher’s expectations will increase for the spring semester. Fourth Grade: The holiday season is her e! The 4th grade classes will continue working on our writing, reading, and math skills. Remember to read and practice your math facts over the break so you don’t forget what you have learned. Practicing is easy. You can do it in the car, before bedtime, and even with the family. The more you practice, the more you will remember. The holiday party for the students will be held on Friday, December 18, 2015. Please look for more detailed information from your student’s teacher. Have a safe holiday season. Fifth Grade: Thank you to all who attended our 5th Grade Reading Fair. It was a success! Our 5th graders did such a wonderful job. We will have a winter party on Dec 18th in our homerooms. Please check your student’s Friday folder for more information. Have a fun and safe winter break! Middle School: Attention all Pinnacle Middle School Parents: The Pinnacle MS yearbook is now on sale at www.studio5schoolportraits.com. The yearbook students are working hard to capture all the moments of this year so that your student can look back and remember all the good times. We have switched companies this year which has allowed us to offer a great product at a cheaper price. Please see the details below. Please contact Justen Susuras at [email protected] if you have any questions. Ordering Details: 1. Cost - $25.00 for hardcover 2. Date - Must be ordered by 3/9/2016 3. Website - www.studio5schoolportraits.com 4. Code - PCMIDYB1516 High School Open Mic Night Pinnacle High School Student Council will be hosting an open mic night on Friday, December 11 th, from 5:30PM - 7:30PM. Students, family members, and staff can sign up to perform songs, skits, stand-up comedy, poetry, dance, and/or magic. This is a really enjoyable, fun event! Regular admission is $2. Performers pay $1. ACCESS Testing to Start Soon Students who are classified as English Language Learners will be taking the ACCESS (Assessing Comprehension and Communication in English State-to-State for English Language Learners) test from January 11th until February 12th. This applies to students who speak a language in addition to English, as well as students who live in a home where a language other than English is spoken. This test measures their use of academic English in four areas: speaking, listening, reading, and writing. The purpose of this assessment is to ensure that we are doing all we can to help our students be successful. It is spread out over a number of days because grade levels are tested at different times. Please visit the Colorado Department of Education site at http://www.cde.state.co.us/assessment/ela if you would like more information regarding this assessment.

Dec. 2015/Jan. 2016 Newsletter www.pinnaclecsi.org 303-450-3985 The Mission of The Pinnacle Charter School is: To educate students to attain superior levels of academic performance by: Creating a safe, supportive school community Fostering a structured environment to prepare students for college and career Using data and state standards to support learning Striving for excellence in everything we do.

Queridos padres de Pinnacle: Permítanme comenzar la carta de este mes felicitando a nuestro recién elegido Consejo de PTO: Joe Rojas, Presidente; Jen Swedhin, Vicepresidente Adjunto; Priscilla Orozco, Treasure; y Kayla Arellano, Secretario. Con los años, nuestra Organización de Padres y Maestros ha tenido muchos arranques y paradas; Sin embargo, esta Junta PTO parece tener el compromiso de hacer de esta organización viable y sostenible. Insto a todos a ser parte de la toma de fuerza para que sea la pieza valiosa de Pinnacle tiene el potencial de convertirse. Nos avanzamos hacia la temporada navideña con nuestra Feria del Libro en el Diciembre 04 al 10 y nuestras bandas en concierto el 15 de Diciembre Este mes también cuenta con nuestra colecta de alimentos anual. Por favor visite nuestro sitio web para obtener información adicional acerca de estos eventos. Una actualización sobre la siguiente búsqueda Director Ejecutivo: entrevistas con los cinco candidatos se llevará a cabo durante la semana del 7 de Diciembre Nuestra búsqueda Comité, compuesto por cuatro profesores; dos miembros del personal no de enseñanza; y cuatro administradores, llevarán a cabo las entrevistas y escuchar la visión de cada candidato para Pinnacle. El Comité se reducirá el número de candidatos hasta de dos a tres finalistas que serán invitados de nuevo a la escuela en enero a entrevistar con el Equipo de Administración y del Consejo de Administración, hacer una presentación para toda la Comunidad de Pinnacle (padres y personal) , y participar en una sesión de preguntas y respuestas. Me aseguraré de que usted sabe con suficiente antelación las fechas de las presentaciones para que pueda participar y puntuar cada candidato. El mes pasado, nos presentamos ante la Junta Instituto Escuela Autónoma para discutir la renovación de nuestros estatutos. Como usted sabe, todas las escuelas charter deben ser autorizadas por el distrito escolar o el Instituto Charter School. Las autorizaciones se concederán por un número determinado de años y están sujetas a renovación periódica o reautorización. Durante el proceso de renovación, el autorizador (en nuestro caso, la Escuela Charter Institute-CSI) revisa una serie de documentos, incluyendo nuestro desempeño en las evaluaciones estatales. Mientras que nuestra renovación no se finalizará hasta el 8 de Diciembre en la próxima reunión de la Junta de CSI, las indicaciones preliminares son que vamos a ser autorizados nuevamente por tres años con un adicional de dos años a la espera de nuestro encuentro una serie de condiciones que incluyen una mejora de nuestros resultados de la evaluación del Estado e internos . Que haya paz en la tierra y buena voluntad para todos! Usted tiene mis deseos para una temporada de fiestas y un año nuevo muy bien. Atentamente, Doc William K. Weiner Ph.D. Director Ejecutivo

Fechas Importantes Recordar párrafo: 04 de Diciembre: Día de Dress Down Recaudación de Fondos 11 de Diciembre: Día de Dress Down Recaudación de Fondos 14 de Diciembre: Reunión de la Junta de 5 p.m. en el Salón de Actos Escuela Preoaratoria 15 de Diciembre: Concierto de Banda y Coro (quinto a octavo de 6:00PM a las 7:30PM) 18 de Diciembre: Día de Dress Down Recaudación de Fondos 21 de Diciembre-enero Primero: No hay clases-Vacaciones de Invierno 04 de Enero: No hay clases y Maestros Día de Trabajo 08 de Enero: Día de Dress Down Recaudación de Fondos 15 de Enero: Día de Dress Down Recaudación de Fondos 18 de Enero: No clases-MLK 22 de Enero: Día de Dress Down Recaudación de Fondos 29 de Enero: Día de Dress Down Recaudación de Fondos Las Artes de Pinnacle Concierto de Banda -Reunión para la Escuela Preparatoria Banda Boosters : Jueves, 3 de Diciembre, a las 5:30 pm en la sala de banda escolar -Concierto de Banda del Coro: Martes, 15 de Diciembre (quinto a octavo grado en la escuela 6 a las 7:30 PM) Tercero y cuarto Concurso de Arte Grado Colorado Parques y Vida Silvestre es la celebración de un concurso de arte para los estudiantes de 3 y 4 grado . Los estudiantes interesados en participar en el concurso debe ver a la señora McKay en la habitación 501 para obtener más información.

_________________________________________________________________________________________ la Biblioteca Es otoño Feria de Libros otra vez. Clifford, el gran perro rojo, volverá a visitar nuestra escuela. Estaremos 8AM abierto a 4 PM todos los días de Viernes, 12/4, a través de Jueves, 12/10. Estaremos abiertos durante la noche Familia con un premio de la rifa Clase especial en Martes, 12/08, 4 p.m.-7 p.m.. La Feria del Libro se cerrará a las 11 el Viernes, 12/11, para que podamos empacar. Todavía se necesitan voluntarios si usted es un voluntario aprobado actualmente. Llame 720274-2047 para más información o para inscribirse como voluntario. Visite nuestro sitio Web Biblioteca bajo "Departamentos" para leer acerca de los recursos disponibles para nuestros estudiantes.

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Nos gustaría presentar a la nuevo grupo de la Junta PTO para Pinnacle. Bienvenido por favor: Presidente - Jose Rojas Vicepresidente - Jen Swedhin Secretario - Kayla Arellano Tesorero - Priscilla Orozco Animamos a los padres a asistir a la próxima reunión el Martes 1 de, Diciembre, a las 6:00PM . K-12 en español está disponible en cada reunión. Cuando usted los ve en la escuela, darles un saludo especial y felicitarlos por ofrecerse a hacer una diferencia en nuestra escuela! _________________________________________________________________________________________ Felicitaciones al ganador del primer premio de la rifa! El abuelo de Isabel Vásquez, Jorge Vásquez, compró el Primer Premio el billete ganador de la rifa. Él es un verdadero fanático de los Broncos que está muy emocionado de haber ganado. ¡Gracias por su apoyo! .

Voluntarios / Oportunidades de recaudación de fondos Box Tops y Etiquetas para la Educación Box Tops y Etiquetas para la Educación son programas que benefician a nuestra Escuela Primaria. Tapas de cajas y etiquetas de los envases son recogidos por los estudiantes, presentado a cada maestro del salón de clases, y contados mensual. Las dos mejores salones ganan el derecho a elegir entre un surtido de artículos relacionados con la escuela que reflejan sus totales de recaudación. Materiales adicionales son adquiridos para uso de toda la escuela. Estos pueden incluir juegos cooperativos, juegos de libros de clase, y los componentes del centro de alfabetización. Por favor considerar la donación de sus tapas de cajas y etiquetas a la maestra de su hijo. Gracias por su esfuerzo para apoyar a nuestra escuela! ———————————————————————————————————Por favor, póngase en contacto con nuestro Coordinador de Voluntarios, Eddee Chavez, a la ext. 1126 si usted está interesado en ser voluntario en la Pinnacle **Siempre estamos aceptando donaciones de uniformes usados en buen estado. Por favor, siéntase libre de dejar estos objetos fuera de la recepción del edificio K-8. ** —————————————————————————————————————————————————-Información de Evaluación Informes de CMAS-PARCC El Departamento de Educación de Colorado ha publicado los resultados de cómo nuestros estudiantes realizaron la pasada primavera en las nuevas evaluaciones estatales en artes del lenguaje inglés y matemáticas. Estas evaluaciones se refieren a menudo como "pruebas PARCC", ya que fueron desarrollados por un consorcio de estados llamados la Asociación para la Evaluación de Preparación para la Universidad y Carreras (PARCC). Estas pruebas son parte del sistema de evaluación general del estado, las medidas de Colorado de Éxito Académico (CMAS), que también incluye las pruebas de ciencias y estudios sociales.

Resultados estatal para artes del lenguaje inglés y matemáticas se dieron a conocer el 12 de Noviembre. Estaran seguidos por los resultados escolares y de distrito en Diciembre. Los resultados individuales de los estudiantes serán enviados a casa por el Departamento de Evaluación de Pinnacle. Cuando reciba el informe puntaje individual de su estudiante, por favor, tenga en cuenta que estos resultados no se pueden comparar con resultados de las pruebas de edad. Las nuevas pruebas miden cosas diferentes, tales como la capacidad del estudiante para pensar críticamente y resolver problemas - habilidades que son fundamentales para el éxito en la universidad y la carrera en el siglo 21. Usted puede recordar que Colorado implementó nuevos estándares académicos en 2013-14 que levantó la barra con las expectativas más altas para todos los estudiantes. Nuestras nuevas pruebas están alineados con los estándares académicos, y son de hecho más rigurosas que las pruebas anteriores. Esta es una buena cosa, ya que nos estamos esforzando para asegurar que todos los estudiantes están realmente preparados para la universidad y la carrera cuando se gradúan de la preparatoria. Pero con el cambio puede venir algunos dolores de crecimiento y resultados de las pruebas de su hijo pueden ser inferiores a lo que has visto antes. Esto no es permanente. Es probable que los resultados comenzarán a subir de nuevo como estudiantes y maestros se acostumbran a los estándares más altos y estar mejor preparados para cumplir con el material más difícil. Además, recuerde que se les dio estas pruebas al final del año escolar anterior. Representan un punto en el tiempo, y son sólo uno de los muchos factores que pueden utilizarse juntos para proporcionar una visión completa del progreso de su estudiante. Decenas siempre tardan más en producir durante el primer año de cualquier nueva prueba, pero en los próximos años, que esperan recibir las calificaciones de nuestros estudiantes mucho antes para ayudar a informar a la instrucción de los maestros para el próximo año escolar. Los nuevos informes de calificaciones CMAS-PARCC usted recibirá a demostrar si su hijo cumplió con las expectativas de nivel de grado al final del año pasado y si su hijo está en camino para la universidad y carreras. Recursos para ayudarle a entender estos nuevos informes de calificaciones están disponibles en http://www.cde.state.co.us/communications/ resourcesforparents.

Noticias de Clase Kindergarten: Nuestr o pr oyecto familiar de Tur quía er a incr eíble. Hemos r ecibido mucho apoyo en ellos de todo la escuela . Nuestros estudiantes de kinder son tan orgulloso de mostrar su trabajo y escuchar todos los comentarios positivos. Por favor, mantenga un ojo nuestro próximo proyecto familiar y detalles acerca de nuestras celebraciones del invierno. Primer Grado: Hola de Primer Grado. Este mes en la lectura y estudios sociales, estamos estudiando las comunidades incluyendo varios puestos de trabajo, los edificios alrededor de las ciudades y el uso de mapas. También estamos terminando nuestras plantas y animales de la unidad en la Ciencia como estamos estudiando partes de plantas y clasificar grupos de animales . Por favor, recuerde que su estudiante traiga un abrigo y botas, si es necesario, para jugar en el recreo. Asegúrese de unirse a nosotros en nuestra Cozy Leer evento el 17 de Diciembre - más detalles por venir. Por favor, asegúrese de seguir la lectura, practicar las palabras de uso frecuente y matemáticas durante las vacaciones del invierno por lo que todo el mundo vuelve dispuesto a aprender. Gracias, como siempre, por su ayuda y apoyo en el hogar. Felices dias festivos. Segundo Grado: En Diciembr e y Ener o, los alumnos de segundo gr ado ser án ocupados apr endiendo acer ca de los símbolos de nuestro país en Estudios Sociales. También vamos a aprender acerca de las habilidades de mapas. Vamos a estudiar el sistema solar en la Ciencia. Nuestro enfoque en la escritura en Diciembre estará en las narrativas de ficción o de historias de fantasía . Vamos a pasar a la escritura de cartas en enero. También estaremos estudiando adverbios y posesivos en Gramática. Gracias por seguir trabajando con su hijo en su casa en la lectura y completar la tarea! Tercer Grado: El tercer grado comenzará la lectura Wonders Unidad 4: Conoce al Reto en Enero. Vamos a explorar la gramática, aprendiendo sobre las contracciones, verbos irregulares, y metáforas entre otras cosas. En matemáticas, vamos a introducir fracciones, que puede ser muy difícil para los niños a entender. Por favor, trabajar en casa y no dude en preguntar cómo puede ayudar! Vamos a hablar más sobre nuestras comunidades y "desenterrar" un montón de información acerca de las rocas y minerales, un tema muy importante en tercer grado. Pruebas de ortografía regulares continuarán ampliando el vocabulario y desarrollar habilidades. La lectura en casa es muy importante, por lo que es posible que las expectativas de sus maestros aumentarán para el semestre de primavera. Cuarto Grado: La tempor ada de festiva ya está aquí! Las clases de 4 gr ado continuar án tr abajando en nuestr as habilidades de escritura, lectura y matemáticas. Recuerde leer y practicar sus operaciones de matemáticas durante las vacaciones por lo que no se olvide lo que ha aprendido. La práctica es fácil. Usted puede hacerlo en el carro, antes de acostarse, e incluso con la familia. Más practiques, más fácil de recordar. La fiesta de los estudiantes se llevará a cabo el Viernes, 18 de Diciembre de 2015. Por favor, busque información más detallada de la maestra de su hijo. Tener una temporada festiva segura. Quinto Grado: Gracias a todos los que asistieron a nuestra Feria de Lectura de Quinto Grado. ¡Fue un exito! Nuestros estudiantes de 5 grado hicieron un trabajo maravilloso. Vamos a tener una fiesta de Invierno en 18 de Diciembre en nuestros salones de clases. Por favor verifique la carpeta Viernes de su hijo para obtener más información. Tener una diversión y descanso segura invierno! Escuela Secundaria: Atención Padres de Pinnacle de la Escuela Secundaria: El libro anual de Pinnacle Secundaria está a la venta en www.studio5schoolportraits.com. Los estudiantes con el trabajo del libro anuario están trabajando duro para capturar todos los momentos de este año para que su estudiante puede mirar hacia atrás y recordar todos los buenos momentos. Hemos cambiado las empresas este año que nos ha permitido ofrecer un gran producto a un precio más barato. Por favor, vea los detalles a continuación. Por favor, póngase en contacto con Justen Susuras en [email protected] si tiene alguna pregunta. Detalles de Pedido: 1. Costo - $ 25.00 para tapa dura 2. Fecha - Debe ser ordenado por 03/09/2016 3. Sitio Web - www.studio5schoolportraits.com 4. Código - PCMIDYB1516High School Noche de micrófono abierto Consejo Estudiantil de Pinnacle Escuela Preparatoria será el anfitrión de una noche de micrófono abierto el Viernes, 11 de Diciembre de 5:30-7:30. Los estudiantes, miembros de la familia, y el personal pueden inscribirse para interpretar canciones, obras de teatro, comedia stand-up, la poesía, la danza, y/o la magia. Este es un evento divertido realmente agradable! Admisión regular es de $2. Intérpretes pagan $1. ACCESS Pruebas de iniciar Pronto Los estudiantes que son clasificados como Aprendices del Idioma Inglés tomarán el ACCESS (Evaluación de Comprensión y Comunicación en Inglés-Estado a Estado para estudiantes del idioma inglés) las pruebas son a partir del 11 de Enero hasta el 12 de Febrero. Esto se aplica a los estudiantes que hablan un idioma además de Inglés, así como los estudiantes que viven en un hogar donde un idioma distinto del Inglés se habla. Esta prueba mide el uso de Inglés académico en cuatro áreas: hablar, escuchar, leer y escribir. El propósito de esta evaluación es asegurar que estamos haciendo todo lo posible para ayudar a nuestros estudiantes a tener éxito. Se extiende a lo largo de un número de días porque los niveles de grado son examinados en diferentes momentos. Por favor visite el sitio del Departamento de Educación de Colorado en http://www.cde.state.co.us/assessment/ela si desea recibir más información sobre esta evaluación.

February 2016 Newsletter www.pinnaclecsi.org 303-450-3985

The Mission of The Pinnacle Charter School is: To educate students to attain superior levels of academic performance by: Creating a safe, supportive school community Fostering a structured environment to prepare students for college and career Using data and state standards to support learning Striving for excellence in everything we do.

Dear Pinnacle Parents: The search for our new Superintendent/Executive Director continued this week with the three finalists making presentations to the Pinnacle community, answering questions suggested by the staff, and meeting with the Board of Directors. The Board will make their final decision regarding my successor at the February 22 Board of Directors meeting. I took the opportunity to meet with our faculty and staff a couple of weeks ago to discuss our reauthorization by the Charter School Institute (CSI) and the recommendations from our AdvancED accreditation team. As you may know, Colorado has four ratings for schools: ‘Turnaround’ for the lowest performing schools; ‘Priority Improvement’ is the next level, followed by ‘Improvement’ and, lastly the ‘Performance’ rating. CSI granted us a three year re-authorization with the stipulation that the Elementary School move from a ‘Priority Improvement’ rating to the ‘Improvement’ status; the Middle School move from an ‘Improvement’ to a ‘Performance’ rating; and the High School maintain its ‘Performance’ status. If these milestones are met at the end of the three year period, the spring of 2019, The Pinnacle will receive an additional two years re-authorization and continue to operate. The determination of whether we meet CSI’s expectations will be based upon our students’ continued growth and proficiency on an interim assessment and State data. The interim assessment that we will use for the next three years, beginning next fall, will be something we select which will probably be different from the Galileo we’ve been using for the past few years. I told the staff that the way to meet the milestones leading to continued authorization by CSI was to follow the recommendations AdvancED gave us. Briefly, these recommendations were about teachers individualizing or differentiating instruction in their classrooms to make sure all students were learning; giving students specific and immediate feedback about their performance; improving our communications; and making sure our mission and vision statements are clear and understood by all members of The Pinnacle Community: parents, students, and staff. The AdvancED team cited us for ‘Powerful Practice’ on the ‘Resources and Support Systems’ standard indicating “commitment and dedication by leadership and staff to providing excellent facilities for student activities and learning…Providing a safe, secure learning environment was an obvious priority at The Pinnacle” The report related three strengths: “facilities and resources, the positive school culture, and a sustained commitment to components of school improvement.” This tells me that we have the atmosphere in our school and the people in place to take on the challenges of improving our educational processes. The right people in place includes you: the parents of our students who play such an important role in assuring that our students and our school succeeds. We need you to reinforce what your students learn at school when they get home and to motivate them to do their very best each and every day. We Are Pinnacle: all of us working together can make sure that this school not only survives, but thrives for many years to come. Sincerely yours, Doc William K. Wiener, Ph.D. Executive Director

Important Dates to Remember: Feb. 4: Skate City Fundraiser from 6PM to 8PM at Skate City Westminster Feb. 5: Dress Down Day Fundraiser Feb. 11: Dress Down Day Fundraiser Feb. 12: No School—Teacher In-Service Day Feb. 15: No School—President’s Day Feb. 19: Dress Down Day Fundraiser Feb. 22: School Board Meeting at 5PM in the High School Lecture Hall Feb. 24: Dress Down Day Fundraiser Feb. 25: No School for K-8/K-8 Parent-Teacher Conferences Noon to 8PM Feb. 25: 9th-12th Full Day of School/9-12th Parent-Teacher Conferences 3:45PM to 7PM Feb. 26: No School K-12 Par ent Teacher Confer ences K-8 from 8AM to 4PM/9-12th from 8AM-11AM

The Pinnacle achieves a five year accreditation by nationally recognized AdvancedED! The Pinnacle Charter School K-12 recently participated in a rigorous review from an outside group of education professionals to obtain the nationally recognized accreditation of schools. The AdvancED Standards for Quality require each school to be reviewed in a way that is appropriate to its mission and purpose. These Standards are research-based, comprehensive quality statements that describe conditions and factors that contribute to a quality educational experience and operational effectiveness. Their research confirms their beliefs that every school requires: 

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stable governance, management, and leadership; a coherent course of study; a reliable system by which to assess students’ progress; instructors who have a clear understanding of what they aim to teach, how, and why; and access to the resources they need.

The Pinnacle has been granted a Five Year Accreditation status by AdvancEd and is committed to engaging in continuous improvement. We are very proud of this achievement. Having this accreditation is evidence of all the hard work our staff, teachers, students, and you, the parents, are doing each and every day.

Follow us on Twitter! The Pinnacle @PCS Timberwolves

Visit our Facebook Page at https://www.facebook.com/Pinnacle-Charter-School

————————————————————————————————————————————————-Parents of Kindergarten Students All Kindergarten students will be taking cap and gown pictures on February 11th from 8:45AM to 12:00PM. The photos will be for your student’s Kindergarten graduation. We will send home the proofs with ordering instructions when they are available.

Report Cards are Online! You can now view, download, and print your student’s report card from the Infinite Campus Parent Portal. Login at any computer and select your student. Click on the reports tab for that student and select the report card. This option is not available on the app but can be accessed from any computer. In addition to report cards, Infinite Campus can be used to see student grades, communicate with teachers, and stay informed about all school for closures, delays, or emergencies. Make sure to sign up to receive text messages to stay updated. Find the link on the Pinnacle Website, and email [email protected] with any login problems. —————————————————————————————————————————————————-

Applications for the 2016-2017 school year are now available! Visit the Registration page on the Pinnacle website to find more information and to fill out the application. Students from all Colorado school districts grades K-12 are welcome to apply.

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Come Play Bingo! Come play Bingo to support the following groups. Ask your relatives, friends, and neighbors to play. It really is a fun, family friendly event. Bingo starts at 7:00 p.m. each Monday at Bingo Oasis located on 106th and Melody Drive. Students 7 and older can play. Please call Julie at 303-450-3985 if you have questions about Bingo. February 1

Key Club

February 8

Washington D.C. Team

February 15

Key Club

February 22

Washington D.C. Team

February 29

Band

March 7

Washington D.C. Team

March 14

Washington D.C. Team

March 21

TBD

March 28

Band

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Girls on the Run will star t the week of Mar ch 7th. Girls on the Run inspires girls to a lifetime of self-respect and a healthy lifestyle through an innovative program that combines training for a 3.1 mile run/walk race with a fun, health education lesson plan. We will meet Tuesdays and Thursdays after school. The program is open to all 4th through 5th grade girls. Visit www.girlsontherunrockies.org for more information. Registration begins Feb 8th. Please contact Mrs. Lamont at [email protected] if you have any questions.

The Pinnacle Choirs presents: LEAP A concert featuring Hip Hop group The ReMINDers and 303 February 29 at 7pm Pinnacle Event Center Tickets = $5 The choirs of Pinnacle Charter School are teaming up with two popular Denver groups to present our most diverse concert yet. The ReMINDers are an internationally recognized hip-hop fusion duo who have performed with the likes of Snoop Dogg and Mos Def. 303 is a community youth choir (an extension of the Colorado Children’s Chorale) that exclusively performs songs by Denver artists. The concert will include an intermission and concessions before the concert and during intermission.

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—————————————————————————————————————————————————-Pinnacle parents now have another option for purchasing school uniforms at Lands’ End. Visit landsend.com and enter our school code 900171828. Here are the benefits by shopping at Lands’ End: 

Shopping at our Lands’ End webpage takes the hassle out of trying to find clothing that is school approved.

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A percentage of the money you spend will come back to our school once we exceed $1000 in sales.

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Parents can request a school logo on certain items.

Lands’ End is known for its promotional discounts, which make quality uniforms affordable for everyone. Visit Lands’ End today.

Dress Code Violations and Proper Dress Attire Dear Parents, We have seen the following dress code violations on a daily basis by students K-12: Jeans Boy and Girl students are wearing jeans during regular school days. Skinny pants Pants that are way too tight and/or made of stretchy material. Leggings Leggings and/or sweat pant material pants. Friday wear Students are wearing Friday wear (T-Shirts with various Pinnacle slogans) Monday through Thursday. Friday wear is only allowed on Fridays. Also, Shirts with no collars Sweatshirts with hoods on them Caps and hats Professional Sports attire Unnatural hair color, green, pink, blue When students ignore the dress code it creates problems for the school Kindergarten through 12th grade. It takes up time and resources to address all of these violations. It takes time from student academic learning when they are sent to the dean’s office for violations. The proper dress code from the time students enter the building is: Navy blue or khaki slacks or skirts for girls according to the policy. If wearing pants, a belt must be worn as well. Navy blue collared shirts. Shirts must be tucked in at all times. Navy blue sweatshirts without hoods. – If students must wear a hoodie on the way to school to keep warm, it must be placed in his/her locker before school begins. Navy blue sweaters and jackets only are allowed when worn during the day in the building. Parents, we need your support with the dress code. We are providing an example of what not to buy your students when shopping for school uniforms. Students who choose to violate the dress code will face consequences when sent to the dean’s office.

Volunteer/Fundraising Opportunities

Box Tops and Labels for Education Box Tops and Labels for Education are programs that benefit our Elementary School. Box tops and labels from containers are collected by students, submitted to individual classroom teachers, and tallied monthly. The top two classrooms earn the right to choose from an assortment of school related items that reflect their collection totals. Additional materials are purchased for school-wide use. These can include cooperative games, class book sets, and literacy center components. Please consider collecting and donating your box tops and labels to your student’s classroom teacher. Thank you for your effort to support our school! ———————————————————————————————————– **Please contact our Volunteer Coordinator, Eddee Chavez, at ext. 1126 if you are interested in volunteering at The Pinnacle.** **We are always accepting donations of gently used uniforms. Please feel free to drop these items off at the front desk of the K-8 building.** ————————————————————————————————————————————————Health Office Information Big Smiles will be at the Pinnacle on February 4th. Please contact the Health Office at ext. 1021 or ext. 1022 for more information. From the Counseling Office—Preventing Cyberbullying for Parents **Be Aware of What Your Kids are Doing Online**  Talk with your kids about cyberbullying.  Know the sites your kids visit and their online activities.  Tell your kids that as a responsible parent, you may review their online communications.  Learn about the sites they like.  Ask for their passwords.  Ask to “friend” or “follow” your kids on social media.  Encourage your kids to tell you immediately if they or someone they know is being cyberbullied. Explain that you will not take away their computers or cell phones if they confide in you about a problem they are having.  Report any bullying to the school so they can help intervene . **Establish Rules about Technology Use**  Establish rules about appropriate use of computers, cell phones, and other technology.  Keep the computer in a common area of the home—monitor online use.  Help them be smart about what they post or say. Once something is posted, it is out of their control if someone else forwards it..  Tell kids to keep their passwords safe and not share them with friends. Sharing passwords can compromise their control over their online identities and activities.

*Always talk with your student(s) regarding internet safety and cyberbullying* Cyberbullying is a punishable offense. Kiana Arellano's Law states that students involved in this behavior can be charged with a misdemeanor that carries a possible fine up to $750 and up to six months in jail.

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Assessment Information State Testing Dates It has recently been announced the PSAT will be Colorado’s new tenth-grade exam. This will be the final year the ACT will be the official state-administered eleventh-grade college entrance exam. Beginning in the Spring of 2017, the new stateadministered eleventh-grade college entrance exam will be the SAT. The shift in the state’s college entrance exam was a result of state legislation passed last May requiring Colorado’s Department of Education to go through a competitive procurement process for both a college entrance exam and a new 10th-grade exam. A selection committee found the PSAT and SAT to be better aligned to the Colorado Academic Standards, a requirement of the 2015 legislation. The PSAT and the ACT are scheduled to be administered to tenth and eleventh grade students on April 19th, 2016. PARCC Results CMAS English Language Arts and Mathematics (PARCC) results were released to the public on December 11th. Summative results and corresponding Performance Levels were published on Infinite Campus’s Parent Portal and are accessible for parents and guardians to view. All paper copies of the students’ score reports were mailed out in January. Please contact [email protected] if you have not received this information. PTO Meetings Join us at 6:30PM in the K-8 Front Lobby for the monthly PTO meetings. The remaining dates for this school year are Feb. 4th, March 3rd, April 7th, and May 5th. The PTO now has an email address: [email protected].

——————————————————————————————Classroom News Kindergarten: We would like to welcome our new teacher , Taylor Nelson, to the Kinder gar ten team. Our middle of the year scores for DIBELS grew an amazing amount. We are so proud of our Kindergarten students! First Grade: We are hard at work this month learning about weather in Science and maps and globes in Social Studies. We will also continue to work on reading and math in class. It is important to continue to read, complete math homework, and practice sight words at home. Please remember that no toys should be brought to class. Toys might be taken away if they become a continued distraction in class. Please look for more details to come regarding our 100th day projects, Valentine's Day celebration, field trip to the Denver Nature and Science Museum, and Parent/Teacher conferences. Thank you for your continued support at home. Please let your student's teacher know if you have any questions. Second Grade: Our second graders will be studying Earth’s resources and the weather in Science in February. We will be learning about producing and consuming goods and services in Social Studies. This unit will include a fun project where students will use their iPads to advertise a good or a service. We will be learning how to write an opinion piece where we support an opinion with reasons in Writing. Please continue to read to your student nightly and listen to him or her read to you. If you speak another language at home, this is an excellent opportunity to help your student learn to read in your native language. Thank you for your ongoing support at home!

Third Grade: Third grade will be learning about how communities built our nation in Social Studies in February. We will learn about living things in Science and will be classifying animals and learning their life cycles. We will discuss two-dimensional shapes and their attributes after we tackle division and fractions. We will be in Wonders Unit 5: Take Action in Reading. We will explore recycling and citizenship, read books from many genres, and learn lots of new skills and strategies. Fourth Grade: 4th grade will continue to work on our reading, writing and math skills this month. We will begin PARCC testing in the upcoming months, and we want to be sure that our students are well prepared! The 4th and 5th grade S.T.E.M. Club is going strong and having fun developing experiments and relationships. Fifth Grade: 5th grade continues to be very busy! We will have our Valentine’s Day party on February 11th. We are also preparing for our Science Fair (3/25/16) and AmeriTowne field trips (3/22/15 or 3/23/15). Please keep an eye out for more information from your student’s homeroom teacher.

Middle School: ALL MIDDLE SCHOOL PARENTS – Does your young scholar have all the basic things they need to be successful in school? Please check with your student to see if they have some of the essentials: lined paper, pencils, pens, and a 3-ring binder. We ask you to purchase replacements for your student if necessary (due to loss or damage). Finally, our classrooms run out of tissues and paper towels by April. We always appreciate any contributions you can make. Thank you for your assistance! Middle School Yearbook The Pinnacle MS yearbook is now on sale at www.studio5schoolportraits.com. The yearbook students are working hard to capture all the moments of this year so that your student can look back and remember all the good times. We have switched companies this year which has allowed us to offer a great product at a cheaper price. Please see the details below. Please contact Justen Susuras at [email protected] if you have any questions. Ordering Details: 1. Cost - $25.00 for hardcover 2. Date - Must be ordered by 3/9/2016 3. Website - www.studio5schoolportraits.com 4. Code - PCMIDYB1516 ——————————————————————————————————————————————————-

March 2016 Newsletter www.pinnaclecsi.org 303-450-3985

The Mission of The Pinnacle Charter School is: To educate students to attain superior levels of academic performance by: Creating a safe, supportive school community Fostering a structured environment to prepare students for college and career Using data and state standards to support learning Striving for excellence in everything we do.

Dear Pinnacle Parents: I’m pleased to tell you that Dr. Brian Recht was approved by the Board of Directors last month to be The Pinnacle’s new Superintendent. He will officially replace me on August 1, but will be with us beginning in late April/ early May to assure a smooth transition. Dr. Recht served as Superintendent of the Albany County School District One in Laramie, Wyoming for the past 12 years. His prior experiences include administrative and teaching positions in California. Dr. Recht brings a wealth of knowledge and skill to The Pinnacle in such areas as increasing student achievement, school advocacy, improving college and career opportunities for students, and overseeing positive change in the organizations he has been a part of. As a former professional musician, he will be supportive of our excellence in the arts. I am sure Dr. Recht will bring our school to the next level of excellence. I appreciate the procedure we used to select our next leader. Using phone interviews to filter our applicants to five semi-finalists; on campus interviews of the semi-finalists with a committee representing all facets of our staff; and presentations to The Pinnacle community and an interview with the Board by the three finalists proved to be a transparent process that involved staff, parents, administration and the Board. I am grateful to those who participated in the selection of Dr. Recht. I am also pleased to let you know that Liz Martinez has replaced Joseph Ibarra on our Board of Directors. Mr. Ibarra resigned from the Board due to a change in his work schedule. My thanks to him for his service to The Pinnacle. Ms. Martinez is the Human Resources Manager for the Wheeler Trigg O’Donnell law firm. She has served as a volunteer child advocate for CASA and currently volunteers as a CASA Peer Coordinator. Ms. Martinez will be a fine addition to the Board. We have hosted The Neighborhood Food Bank of Colorado through last December. They asked me to thank the Pinnacle community for their support and to let you know that they are now located at the Regis University branch campus at 500 E. 84th St. (the old North Valley Shopping Center) on the first Wednesday of each month beginning at 3 PM. My thanks to you for your attendance at the parent conferences. Your support and encouragement of our students is so important; especially with the State assessments which will be coming up in a few weeks. Sincerely yours, Doc William K. Wiener, Ph.D. Executive Director

Important Dates to Remember: March 4: Dress Down Day Fundraiser March 11: Dress Down Day Fundraiser March 18: Dress Down Day Fundraiser March 21: School Board Meeting at 5PM in the High School Lecture Hall March 25: Dress Down Day Fundraiser March 28-April 1: No School-Spring Break School Breakfast Program School breakfast is healthy, convenient, and FREE for all K-8 students. Save time on busy weekday mornings. Choose school breakfast! March 7th-11th is National School Breakfast Week. Our school is celebrating the school breakfast program with the “Wake Up to School Breakfast” campaign. Contact the cafeteria manager at your student’s school to learn more about what is offered for breakfast. You can also visit the Pinnacle website to view our breakfast menu. ————————————————————————————————————————————————-School Pictures Class pictures and Spring individual pictures for K-5 students will be on March 1st and 2nd. ————————————————————————————————————————————————-Middle School Yearbook The Pinnacle MS yearbook is now on sale at www.studio5schoolportraits.com. The yearbook students are working hard to capture all the moments of this year so that your student can look back and remember all the good times. We have switched companies this year which has allowed us to offer a great product at a cheaper price. Please see the details below. Please contact Justen Susuras at [email protected] if you have any questions. Ordering Details: 1. Cost - $25.00 for hardcover 2. Date - Must be ordered by 3/9/2016 3. Website - www.studio5schoolportraits.com 4. Code - PCMIDYB1516 ————————————————————————————————————————————————--

2nd ANNUAL COLORADO PARKS & WILDLIFE ART CONTEST 3rd and 4th grade students: Create a piece of art (11"x14") that shows how you like to spend time outside with your family. Your art can be made from paint, color pencil, photos, collage, fabric...be creative! PRIZES - 1st place winners receive an annual Colorado State Parks Pass. Finalists will have their art temporarily displayed at a Cabela's location. Pick up an entry form from Ms. McKay in room 501. Deadline for entries is March 18th.

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Visit our Facebook Page at https://www.facebook.com/Pinnacle-Charter-School

You can win lots of money! Bring the kids 7 years old and up to play. Get a $40 machine for just $30 during the month of February. Weekly Raffles for Free Bingo Nights!

The Doc Open Golf Tournament May 27, 2016 Hyland Hills Golf Course, Westminster, CO

Parents, ask the company you work for, your family, and friends to support our golf tournament. Funds raised will support the Pinnacle Arts Program. All Pinnacle Families and Friends are encouraged to sign up to play golf for $120 or miniature golf for $50. Let the companies you work for know about Sponsorship opportunities. For more info visit: https://docs-golf-tournament.cheddarup.com or call 303-450-3985 ext. 1013. Thank you for your support!

—————————————————————————————————————————————————-Pinnacle parents now have another option for purchasing school uniforms at Lands’ End. Visit landsend.com and enter our school code 900171828. Here are the benefits by shopping at Lands’ End: 

Shopping at our Lands’ End webpage takes the hassle out of trying to find clothing that is school approved.

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A percentage of the money you spend will come back to our school once we exceed $1000 in sales.

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Parents can request a school logo on certain items.

Lands’ End is known for its promotional discounts, which make quality uniforms affordable for everyone. Visit Landsend.com today. —————————————————————————————————————————————————-Volunteer/Fundraising Opportunities Box Tops and Labels for Education Box Tops and Labels for Education are programs that benefit our Elementary School. Box tops and labels from containers are collected by students, submitted to individual classroom teachers, and tallied monthly. The top two classrooms earn the right to choose from an assortment of school related items that reflect their collection totals. Additional materials are purchased for school-wide use. These can include cooperative games, class book sets, and literacy center components. Please consider collecting and donating your box tops and labels to your student’s classroom teacher. Thank you for your effort to support our school! ———————————————————————————————————– **Please contact our Volunteer Coordinator, Eddee Chavez, at ext. 1126 if you are interested in volunteering at The Pinnacle.** **We are always accepting donations of gently used uniforms. Please feel free to drop these items off at the front desk of the K-8 building.**

Dress Code Violations and Proper Dress Attire Dear Parents, We have seen the following dress code violations on a daily basis by students K-12: Jeans Boy and Girl students are wearing jeans during regular school days. Skinny pants Pants that are way too tight and/or made of stretchy material. Leggings Leggings and/or sweat pant material pants. Friday wear Students are wearing Friday wear (T-Shirts with various Pinnacle slogans) Monday through Thursday. Friday wear is only allowed on Fridays. Also, Shirts with no collars Sweatshirts with hoods on them Caps and hats Professional Sports attire Unnatural hair color, green, pink, blue When students ignore the dress code it creates problems for the school Kindergarten through 12th grade. It takes up time and resources to address all of these violations. It takes time from student academic learning when they are sent to the dean’s office for violations. The proper dress code from the time students enter the building is: Navy blue or khaki slacks or skirts for girls according to the policy. If wearing pants, a belt must be worn as well. Navy blue collared shirts. Shirts must be tucked in at all times. Navy blue sweatshirts without hoods. – If students must wear a hoodie on the way to school to keep warm, it must be placed in his/her locker before school begins. Navy blue sweaters and jackets only are allowed when worn during the day in the building. Parents, we need your support with the dress code. We are providing an example of what not to buy your students when shopping for school uniforms. Students who choose to violate the dress code will face consequences when sent to the dean’s office.

Classroom News Kindergarten: Kinder gar ten will be going to the Ar vada Center on Mar ch 1st. We will be celebr ating the bir thday of Dr. Seuss throughout the month of March. First Grade: The first graders are continuing to work hard on writing informational paragraphs and reading non-fiction stories. We will be studying energy in Science and starting to work on adding and subtracting two digit numbers in Math. Please keep practicing reading and sight words and work on math over Spring Break so the students are ready to show their progress on end-of-year assessments when they return. Please make sure students are dressed appropriately. Please remember that open toe shoes are not to be worn to school. Please let your teacher know if you have any questions. Thank you for your support at home. Second Grade: Our second graders had an excellent learning experience in February creating advertisements for a good or a service using their iPads. These ads were then shared with classmates. We will be learning about the weather in Science in March. We will focus on comparing and contrasting in Writing. We will also be learning about formal versus informal language. Thank you for helping your student at home. Please continue to do lots of reading together! Third Grade: Third grade will be gearing up during the month of March for our April state testing. For the first time, your student will be taking the PARCC exam (Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers), assessing reading, writing, math, and science proficiency. End-of-year testing in DIBELS and Galileo will follow. It’s a busy testing time of year, so there is much to be done. Our Reading Wonders unit, “Take Action,” will address recycling, citizenship, and energy conservation. It will also introduce many genres of literature and cover comprehension and fluency as always. In Math, we will discuss two-dimensional shapes and their attributes, using lots of geometric vocabulary. We will continue to learn how different communities built our nation in Social Studies. We will explore Earth and our universe in Science. In March, third grade will FINALLY go on a field trip to the Denver Zoo! The field trip will be Friday, March 25th, right before Spring Break. Information will be coming home as the date nears. Don’t forget to increase DAILY reading in preparation for the approaching assessments. Fourth Grade: 4th grade is ramping up for March! We are moving forward deeper into fractions: addition, subtraction, mixed numbers and equivalents are all on the fraction menu. We will be diving into Colorado's early history, learning about the first people of Colorado, the early settlers, and all about how Colorado became a state In Social Studies. PARCC testing begins towards the end of the month: students will be taking the math portion before Spring Break and the literacy portion when they return. SAVE THE DATE! 4th grade's SOLE Family Night will be happening on Thursday, April 7th. It's guaranteed to be a fun-filled event for everyone with lots of activities such as archery, fishing, and learning everything you’d want to know about your local Colorado parks and wildlife. To top it off, there will be heaps of prizes to be won. Don't miss out. Fifth Grade: Thank you to all the families who came and talked to us during parent teacher conferences. We appreciate your support! March is going to be a busy month in 5th grade. We will be going on a field trip to AmeriTowne on March 22nd or 23rd. Our Science Fair will be held on March 25th. Last but not least, we will have a health talk on the afternoon of March 25th. Please check your student’s Friday folder for further information and parent permission slips from the homeroom teacher. High School Prom Tickets are now on sale for the Pinnacle High School’s 2016 Prom: Enchanted Night. This year’s celebration will be held at Baldoria on the Water on Saturday, April 9th, from 7PM-11PM. Tickets are $40 per person and can be purchased from Ms. Apodaca.

The Pinnacle Charter School

Cub’s Den Program If you are in need of childcare during Spring Break and/or Summer Break, please contact Shannon Montes at (303)450-3985, ext.1077 or [email protected].