“We are an innovative community of learners committed to building character and knowledge while encouraging individuality through the arts . . . Tomorrow begins with us!”

November 19, 2015

Christine Donnell School of the Arts 7075 S. Five Mile Rd.

Joni Leipf, Principal

Karen Kirk, Secretary

Star Studded News

Family Math Night

CDSA is having a family math night on Tuesday, December 1 from 5:30 to 6:30. There will be multiple activities for all grades as well as guest speaker Gay Lynn Erb from our District Office. We will also have Fresh Betty Spaghetti Food Truck here for anyone who would like to have dinner here. This will be a fun and informative session to see math strategies that can be used at home. Hope to see you there!

DATES TO REMEMBER

Nov 20 End of 1st Trimester Grades K-5 No School Grades K-8

Nov 23-27 Thanksgiving Vacation

Dec 1 PTA Meeting 4PM

Dec 1 Math Night 5:30PM to 6:30PM

Dec 4 3rd Grade to Birds of Prey

Dec 4 Deadline to Submit Artwork for Yearbook Cover

Dec 7-11 Scholastic Book Fair in Library

Dec 10 6th Grade Chorus Performance 11:15AM

Dec 11 4,5,6 Orchestra Performance 10:00AM

Dec 16 Tuition Kindergarten to Miracle on 34th Street

Dec 17 2nd Grade Music Performance 10:30AM

Dec 17 5th Grade Music Performance 11:20AM

Dec 21 thru Jan 3

Holiday Break

Jan 4 School Resumes

Our Scholastic Book Fair is a reading event that brings the books

kids want to read right into our school. It’s a wonderful selection of

engaging and affordable books for every reading level. Please make

plans to visit our Book Fair and be involved in shaping your child’s

reading habits.

Dates are Monday, Dec. 7 - Friday, Dec. 11

Open from 9:00-4:30 on Mon., Wed., Thurs., and Friday.

We will stay open until 5:30 on Tuesday, December 8 for your convenience!

We look forward to seeing you and your family at our Book Fair!

Remember, all purchases benefit our school.

Sincerely,

Mrs. Robinson

CDSA Librarian

School and Holidays

As the holidays approach, please ensure that school remains a top priority in your child’s life. You can do this by making sure that your child arrives to school promptly with adequate rest and nourishment; and he or she is not missing school unless truly ill. If you are planning for your child to miss more than 2 days of school, please obtain a Notification of Absence Form prior to the absence from the office. This must be filled out and signed by the parent. It must then receive the teacher’s and prin-cipal’s signatures prior to the absence.

Counselor’s Corner!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Last year, I shared about Positive Thinking as a wonderful tool we can all use in our lives at any time. I would like to share this concept again and reflect about our blessings. Research shows that consistently noticing positive situations can re-sult in a long list of beneficial outcomes. Grateful people have been found to be better able to handle challenges and be more successful in accomplishing their goals. A Gratitude Journal is a great way to recognize your blessings. Start by writing down at least three things you’re grateful for. It can be anything from family and work to a good night rest or the morning sunrise – whatever is positive in your life deserves a little thank you note from your soul. When attention is fo-cused on gratitude that which we’re grateful for will expand!

One of our blessings is to live in a generous community. If you or someone you know is going through a difficult time and could benefit from some extra help during the Holidays please let me know.

Family Activity:

Create a Thankful tree made out of paper and/or sticks and place notes of what each per-

son is thankful for!

Questions? Contact me via email or phone or visit my page in our school’s site! Maria “Keny” Pereda-Torp, (208)855-4357 E-mail: Pereda-Torp.Maria@westada.org

FESTIVAL OF TREES

We have a tree! The 3rd grade at CDSA will have a decorated tree displayed at the Boise Festival of Trees. The tree is Dr. Seuss themed. The proceeds of the sale of the tree will go to the St. Alphonsus Rehabilitation Center. It will be on display at the Boise Center on the Grove from Nov. 24-29. Our 3rd graders have worked long and hard making ornaments, and gathering Dr. Seuss themed items for the tree. If you can attend the event, find the 3rd grade Dr. Seuss tree!

Great News From Parent Pick Up! Our daily routine is running smoothly! So smoothly in fact, that we are fin-ishing 5 minutes earlier than ever! What this means to you, is that you should be in the pick up line no later than 3:50. Please arrive promptly so that this process can continue as slick as it is running now! We appreciate you adjusting your schedule so that families are reunited in a timely manner. Thank you!

LOTTERY INFORMATION FOR

2016-2017 SCHOOL YEAR Applications for new students for the 2016-2017 school year will be available on line beginning January 8, 2016. Please visit www.westada.org for detailed information.

All siblings not currently attending CDSA will need to apply on line to be entered in the lottery. This includes incoming kindergarten siblings as well as other siblings in grades 1 thru 6.

For current students, the Intent to Return form will be available in January.

Star Student Reporters All Things Yearbook

By Olivia Reakes & Matt Ogden

We know Donnell has lots of talented artists! We encourage all students to try

your best and take your time creating your artwork. We like to look at art from

all grade levels. It is exciting to see what your artwork is like. Look for the flyer

in this newsletter for specific information.

The price of the yearbook is $15.00. Please make checks payable to CDSA. If

paying in cash, be sure it is for the exact amount. The office is not able to make

change. Parents will also be able to pay with a credit card. We don’t have the

website ready yet, so look for it soon to be able to pay this way. The price will

stay $15.00 until February 29, 2016. After that the price will be $20.00 per year-

book. If you order now, please fill out the attached form and send with check,

or exact cash amount.

Lost and Found Donated

All lost and found items have been donated to Gemtext Recy-cling, which is the donation box in the CDSA parking lot. If you have donations of clothing, shoes, linens, etc. you can drop them at the donation box. CDSA will receive a percentage of funds of sales on donated items. If you feel a lost item of your child’s was donated, you can contact Gemtext Recycling at 208-515-3472.

Proper Shoes for PE

With the winter months upon us, please make sure kids are bringing proper shoes for PE. Winter boots are not built for

physical education activities. Feel free to send tennis shoes with your child in their backpack if they need to wear boots to school.