The Weekly Word – 11/20-12/1 Creative Technologies Academy – making a difference in the things that matter. . . Our Mission Creative Technologies Academy is a K-12 community of learners committed to changing our world by developing students in character, scholarship, and leadership.

Quote of the week: “Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It’s not.” – Dr. Seuss

Character Trait of the Month: KINDNESS Staff/Student Early Release Days Notice Parents, please note the following building schedules for Staff /Student Early Release days: o K-5 Childcare is open until 6:00 p.m. o 6-12 The secondary campus will close at 1:30 p.m. Please make arrangements ahead of time for your student to be picked up in a timely manner. o Remaining Student/Staff Early Release days are as follows: November 21, December 22, February 16, March 9, March 29, May 25, June 1, and June 7. Thank you, Mrs. Mattson, Mrs. Colin, and Mr. George Tuesday, Nov. 21 is Staff/Student Early Release Day

MONDAY, NOV. 20    

NO Winter Play Practice MS Math Help: 2:45-3:30 p.m. in Ms. Liscombe’s room. HS Math Help: 2:45-3:45 p.m. in Mrs. Cone’s room. Basketball Practice: Watch Facebook page for updates!

TUESDAY, NOV. 21     

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*EARLY RELEASE Today (Students & Staff): Grades 6-12@12:45 p.m. & K-5 @1:00 p.m. The Charger Kid’s Club is available on early release days from 1–6:00 p.m. for $9 per child; call Student Services @696-4905 x227 if interested. The Administration Building will be closed at 1:30 p.m. Basketball Practice: Watch Facebook page for updates! NO Winter Play Practice Apparel Orders Are Due Today: CTA will be placing another apparel order – check out the attached flier for all the great Charger gear! Orders must be submitted to Mrs. Atkins by the end of the day. Last Day for Coin Wars: CTA Elementary, Middle and High School will be participating in the “Make Change Campaign” to help raise money for Toys for Tots. The contest runs from Nov. 14- 21. The winning classroom will win a movie day to celebrate. See attached flier for full details. Winner will be announced on Nov. 27 Last Day for Toys for Toys Drop Off: We will be collecting toys in each building on Nov. 14-21. See attached flier for details.

WEDNESDAY, NOV. 22 – FRIDAY NOV. 24 

Thanksgiving Break

MONDAY, NOV. 27  

Winter Play Practice: 3:15 – 4:30 p.m. in Mr. Holtrop’s room. MS Math Help: 2:45-3:30 p.m. in Ms. Liscombe’s room.

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Basketball Practice: Watch Facebook page for updates!

TUESDAY, NOV. 28   

Winter Play Practice: 3:15 – 4:30 p.m. in Mr. Holtrop’s room. Basketball Practice: Watch Facebook page for updates! HS Math Help: 2:45-3:45 p.m. in Mrs. Cone’s room.

WEDNESDAY, NOV. 29    

Winter Play Practice: 3:15 – 4:30 p.m. in Mr. Holtrop’s room. MS Math Help: 2:45-3:30 p.m. in Ms. Liscombe’s room. NHS Meeting: 2:45 p.m. in Mrs. Rose’s room. Basketball Practice: Watch Facebook page for updates!

THURSDAY, NOV. 30     

Lightning Bugs: 2:45-3:45 p.m. in Ms. Liscombe’s room. Basketball Practice: Watch Facebook page for updates! Chargers Spelling Club: 3-3:30 p.m. in Mrs. Bangma’s room. HS Science Help: 3-4:00 p.m. in Mr. Fredrickson’s room. MS Library Trip: MS students will be walking to the public library.

FRIDAY, DEC. 1   

Hearing & Vision Re-Screen Elementary Trip to the Library: Elementary students will be walking to the public library. Please make sure they are dressed accordingly. Basketball Practice: Watch Facebook page for updates!

SATURDAY, DEC. 2 

Drama Tech Rehearsal 1-5:00 p.m.

STUDENT ANNOUNCEMENTS 

World’s Finest Chocolate Bars on Sale: Students in Charger Voices are selling World's Finest Chocolate candy bars again this year. Please support Charger Voices as we raise money for a choir trip and choir music. Candy bars are $1 each.

FINE ARTS DEPARTMENT  

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Elementary Winter Concert: Monday, Dec. 4 at 6:30 p.m. Please see the attached Music Newsletter from Mr. Holtrop for more concert details and attire specifications. Fall Play: Tickets are now on sale for CTA's fall play, "Twain's Tales". You will not want to miss this fantastic tribute to the great literary works of Mark Twain as our drama students act out such classics as "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer", "The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County", "The Joke that Made Ed's Fortune" and more! o Show Dates: Friday, Dec. 8 and Saturday, Dec. 9 at 7:00 p.m. in the CTA auditorium. o Tickets: $3 in advance (and can be purchased from the front office) and $5 at the door. o Free ticket giveaway: In order to win 2 free tickets to the show on a day of your choice, please email [email protected] with the answer to the following 2 part question:  Part 1: Although we all know him as Mark Twain, the author of all of the above stories was actually named what? In order to get credit, please include first middle and last name.  Part 2: Why did the author pick the Mark Twain as his pen name? Middle School/High School Choir Concert: Tuesday, December 12th

GENERAL ANNOUNCEMENTS 

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Attention HS Parents: The Parent Association is looking for parents willing to serve as class advisors for students in grades 9-12. These parents would commit to representing a group of students as they advance toward graduation, helping them with fundraisers, etc. If you would like to serve in this capacity, please contact Sherry Fisk at [email protected]. From CTA Traffic Safety: Drivers using Drop-off/Pick-up spots along the west side of the entrance drive, please pay attention to markings for the four spots and pull up to the last (farthest South) spot available. Do not drop-off/pick-up where the cones are placed and there are painted 'no parking' signs along the main entrance drive. Thanks, Daniel Clark Traffic Control Volunteers Needed: If you would like to help keep our students safe and assist with traffic control in either the morning or afternoon, please contact Dan Clark at 616-263-7172. Host an International Exchange Student: Spread global awareness and understanding by hosting an International Exchange Student. ECEP is seeking host families for students attending Creative Technologies Academy. Available students include: o 15-year old female from Vietnam (enjoys cooking, photography, reading, swimming and dancing)

FROM STUDENT SERVICES 

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Student Messages: Please use CTA's office telephone number to get messages to your students rather than texting them. As laid out in our handbook, student cell phone use is restricted in the classroom and students' phones will be taken if they are not using them in compliance with teacher guidelines. We appreciate your cooperation. Tardy Sign-In Policy: If your child is late, a parent/guardian MUST bring them to the office to sign them in and get a late pass. MS and HS need a pass after 7:45 a.m. and Elementary needs a pass after 8:00 a.m. Building doors are locked at the times noted and students cannot go directly to their classroom door. Medicine - Parents can drop off any meds to student services to give to their child during the school day. You will need to fill out a form – see Mrs. Atkins in Student Services. Absence/Tardy - Please call student services @696-4905 Ext 227 if your child is going to be absent or late to school. You may leave a message at any time before or after school hours. Charger Kid’s Club: CTA has an after-school program for K-5 students. Chargers Kid’s Club runs Monday through Friday from 3 – 6:00 p.m. The fee is $6 per day per child to attend. The program is also available on early release days from 1 – 6 p.m. for $9 per child. If you would like more information about the Charger Kid’s Club, call CTA at 616-696-4905.

COUNSELOR’S CORNER 

FSU Scholarship Opportunity: Students graduating from Ferris State University-authorized public school academies are automatically eligible for consideration of the Charter Schools Office scholarship. See the attached flier for eligibility criteria and other information. Students who are interested in Ferris State need to go ahead and apply now. This scholarship will become available Mid December, and the deadline for the application is the end February.

REMINDERS 

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Parent Portal o Want to access your student’s grades and attendance information online? Email Sara Middlebrook at [email protected] to request an activation code. o Mobile App: Search “Infinite Campus” in your app store to stay up-to-date on your child  School code: nmhzyl o Forgot your password? Email Sara – [email protected] Paper Gator: You may drop off books, magazines and newspapers in the green paper gator on the west side of the main parking lot.

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Please save Box Tops for CTA Parent Association

DATES TO REMEMBER        

12/8 12/22 12/25-1/5 1/8 1/12 1/12 1/19 1/26

Early Release Day Early Release Day (Students and Staff) Winter Break School Resumes Early Release Day Box Tops Due Date (Can turn in at any time) End of 1st Semester Early Release Day