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From Manuel J. Fernandez

Dear CSUS Parents and Caregivers, 

DIVERSITY DIALOGUES 
In response to the many questions often posed by parents and caregivers we are pleased to invite you to our Feb. 28th Diversity Dialogues “How to Talk to Children about Race”. Our presenter will be anti-racist educator Michael Feldstein. Mike is a Newton Public Schools elementary teacher who I worked with since the 1996 as co-facilitators of equity and inclusion initiatives. Mike immerses himself in these conversations with his students daily and presents regularly at conferences on this topic. The RSVP date for the dinner and dialogues is Feb. 25. Please sign up early. We anticipate that many elementary staff and parents and caregivers will join us. We hope to see you there!

REPORT CARDS
Report cards were posted and distributed on Feb, 8th. If you have not viewed or received your child’s report card please contact your child’s advisor or Ms. Robinson in the main office.

CONFERENCES
Scholars will be showcasing their schoolwork and discussing progress on their educational goals with you in the upcoming Scholar-Led Conferences. During these conferences, scholars will lead a discussion with you about their school work, while teachers will help direct conversation and answer questions you may have. The dates for Scholar Led Conferences are Feb. 26 - Mar.1. If you have not scheduled a conference please contact your child’s homeroom advisor for available times and dates.

8TH GRADE PARTNERSHIP WITH KLO
After many CSUS scholars expressed interest in working with younger scholars for their community service requirement, we decided to explore this opportunity within our very own building! Recently, some of our 8th graders began a mentoring program with our KLO neighbors. The scholars involved have a designated time during the week to support the younger students in various ways. This connection is a unique opportunity to build relationships and develop leadership skills. Scholars are also becoming acquainted with KLO teachers and staff through this process. Although we have just begun, it is evident that this experience will be enriching for both our scholars and our younger friends downstairs. We look forward to building upon this service project this coming semester. CSUS would like to extend a sincere thank you to KLO staff for their willingness to partner with us and for being incredibly welcoming to our 8th graders.

MOVEMENTS PROJECT 
In the Movements project, as part of the 8th grade physics unit, scholars designed and built kinetic sculptures (sculptures that move) that represent a social justice movement. They collaborated in teams and used a variety of materials to create their original pieces. Scholars also discussed and wrote artist-scientist statements that connected the physical laws of motion with an understanding of social dynamics. For example, the concept of inertia can be used to explain the motion of inanimate objects as well as the challenge of getting people to change their behavior. Check out this link for project photos! This engaging project is the outcome of the research grade 8 teacher Donna Peruzzi explored as a participant of the ReMaking STEM project (with TERC researchers Eli Tucker-Raymond and Maria Olivares).

SCHOLAR IDENTITY ASSEMBLY – ORIGINALITY
Our Scholar Identity assemblies were unveiled this year to highlight our new logo. The logo illustrates the attributes we endeavor to have all scholars exemplify at CSUS. The assemblies have been well received. The assemblies are facilitated by scholars and feature scholar work and performances aligned with the month’s identity attribute. Last month we celebrated the attribute Originality. The Originality assembly featured the Cobra Jazz Band, original poetry from 8th graders, 7th grade Drum Major for Justice Presentations, Paleolithic poetry from 6th graders, the Lunar New Year, the Cobra Dance Crew and presentations on original currency and superheroes. Similar to our three previous assemblies scholars enthusiastically recited, I am a CSUS Scholar. This month’s participants included Joy Ajwad, Mariela Allen Cadet, Jacqueline Argueta, Samiyah Armstrong, Simran Aryal, Alina Baimatova, Shahria Basiria, Clio Bildman, Anaiya Brown, Adam Chrifialaoui, Sakina Cotton, Miriam Cruz-Pimentel, Ashley Encarnacion, Lucy Engels, Lyra Ericson, Cidra Fraley, Angelina Gonzalez, Jeremy Kravitz, Kevin Leal, Henry Lesatale, Leo Longo, Federik Montalvo Lugo, Ruth Palmer, Parnika Phuyal, Bruce Raymond, Elijah Robinson, Nick Robles de la Cruz, Samantha Rosenberg, Sara Sabry, Jaylen Semedo Georges, Mohamed Soleman, Sara Solomon, Zuri Sueskagan Moses, Shaylah Swindell, Kailani Taylor Cribb, Camilla Tineo Herrera, Ismail Turman, Sylvia Van Praagh, and Sonia Wu. Next month’s assembly will highlight the attribute Leadership.

On behalf of TEAM CSUS, thank you for choosing CSUS! We are humbled that you have entrusted us with your child’s education. We are mindful that you have choices and we are pleased that you chose us. Please do not hesitate to contact me or any TEAM CSUS staff member if you have any questions, concerns or suggestions.

Peace,

Manuel J. Fernandez
Head of School