....... CCDS INFORMER
	Welcome back I hope you had a wonderful winter break. Please plan to attend the WASC meeting this Thursday evening in Hinde Hall if you possibly can. Janie and I will review the process of the self-study, the report and the Action Plan for the next six years. It starts at 6:30 and I promise we will be done no later than 7:15. The CCDS reading incentive program is coming to an end, but there is still time to read. Thank you to the first and fourth grade parents who have done such a fine job of making this fun for our students. To celebrate this reading feat, this Friday, February 26th, the entire school is going on a surprise  (shhh.. don't tell) field trip.  The cost per child is $6.00.  A permission slip went home with your child on today. Please send in your money no later than Thursday - checks made payable to CCDS.  The sixth grade Ambassador’s can take your envelope at pick up or drop off.  On the permission slip please let us know if you are able to carpool to the ferry landing at 8:00 and pick up at 12:20 from the same location.  You can do this by checking the appropriate box on the permission slip. JK will not be going on this field trip, but they will have a special surprise of their own. Nancy Roberts Headmistress

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	This Week's Featured Book Reviews  1. A Thousand Never Evers by Shana Burg Review by Emma Sandke, 4th Grade This story applies to this week's virtue courage because the main character Addie Ann shows courage by standing up for the equal rights of African Americans. I liked all the excitement and how you should always stand up for what you believe in. I would recommend this book to those who like excitement. 2. Elijah of Buxton by Christopher Paul Curtis Review by Camilla Bruyere, 4th grade In this story, Elijah has the courage to go into a show that he thought was scary. I liked the way the people get along with newcomers who came to Buxton to be free from slavery. 3. Walk Two Moons by Sharon Creech Review by Cate Rooney, 4th grade Salamanca has the courage to be strong even though she feels sad. I like how realistic this book is. Salamanca's mother left them when she was small, and the story is very powerful. 4. The Story of Helen Keller by Lorena A. Hickok Review by Elizabeth Oliver, 4th grade  This story is about how Helen Keller had a lot of courage to do many things like go to college. I liked it because it had a lot of challenges and it had a good ending. I would recommend this book to a person who likes heart-warming stories.

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	CCDS is having a Schoolwide Fundraiser! We are doing a school wide fundraiser “Mixedbag Designs” to help out CCDS’s financial shortfall. An order form went home to your family before the break. The bags are great. You can use them as gifts, for yourself or sell to your neighbors. The spring line has very colorful and fun patterns. If you are interested in ordering, please complete the order form that went home. Selling is not mandatory, strictly voluntary. We will make 50% of the cost. Costs are on the order forms. Make checks payable to Tami Woods. The order due date March 1st. They will take two weeks once I place the order. Our school ID is 30086. Any questions, please feel free to contact me or you can talk to Jackie Scotchmer or Melissa Miller. When finished with your order and friends & family orders, please turn in to Tami, Jackie or Melissa. Thanks, Tami Woods-619.733.1693 twoods@san.rr.com Jackie Scotchmer-619.573.8224 jackie@constellationproperty.com Melissa Miller-619.519.4961 mmiller7@san.rr.com IT'S CAR PARKING SENSE Long-term parking near CCDS is extremely limited, and short-term parking virtually nonexistent. Extreme caution should be taken while entering and leaving the parking facilities owned by the Church on “C” Avenue. Small children should be escorted across the street by their parents. Please observe the no stopping zone between the signs in front of the school, as well as the common sense rules of no double parking or U-turns in mid-block. Parents should remain in their cars if they are in the loading zone and pull forward as cars move forward.

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	Hi all, Hope you all enjoyed our week off. Just a quick reminder on the school wide fundraiser selling mixedbags. Would like all orders turned in to the office by Friday, February the 26th. We will display samples on Wednesday (Feb.24th) after school. We are shooting for each class to sell 50 bags, that’s just about 3 per child (16 per class). Please make checks payable to Tami Woods. Make sure the checks are attached to the order form and that each person’s order has been paid. Please put your order form in the big envelope that you received with the order form and payment. Extra order forms are in the office if needed. Again, you can turn them into the office, or to Tami Woods, Jackie Scotchmer or Melissa Miller. We are trying to help out our wonderful school and trying to help the 17,000 shortfall. Would like to place the school order on March 1st, so we can get our bags in two week time. These make wonderful gifts, nice bags for the beach, grocery store, project bag, lunch bag, etc. Any questions on the bags, please call or email me. We have a few more days…….so happy selling.

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	One of the many great things about our school is the opportunity each class has to contribute to our world through a service learning project. Third grade is collecting General Mills Box Tops for Education to earn money in support of the "Earth's Birthday Project" to help protect rain forest acreage in the El Pangan rainforest in the Colombian Chocó - the wettest forest in the world, site of tremendous biological diversity, and an environmental hotspot that will disappear without help. The "box tops" are small pink and yellow squares with the words "Box Tops for Education" printed on them. They may be found on the packaging of many items, such as cereals snacks, Kleenex, and even some school and office supplies. Send them in to school through the end of April. Thank you for helping the third graders make a difference in our world.

	......... VIRTUE FOR FEBRUARY IS FORGIVENESS
	SPIRITUAL NURTURE This week’s lesson:   Lord, help us to remember your compassion for us so that we will turn back to you in gratitude, awe, and love. The chapel lesson will be presented by Fifth Grade on Thursday.  HAPPY BIRTHDAY THIS WEEK TO: Maggie Mahrer (3rd) 2/25 Grant Gould (2nd) 2/26 Wyatt Pinsonneault (3rd) 2/26 Abigail Dunbar (1st)  2/28