Comp-Sci Weekly
October 1, 2023- October 6, 2023
Principals Message
Hello CompSci Families,
There is a lot of information in this edition, so please read it all! It includes updates from our Equity coaches, our theme coach and our advisory program. As always, we have a lot going on, and we try to keep you informed.
It has been a good week at school, and the sun even came out briefly. Clubs kicked off, and so far it has been great. The kids are having fun and making new connections with staff and students. If you have signed your child up, make sure you get those late bus forms in. If you missed out this time, we will have another round of clubs in January.
The first mindset reports went out this week. This was the first of 10 cycles we will have this year. The teachers work with kids to set goals, so ask your child about that. I know as parents that you are always looking for ways to help your child do well at school, and the mindset reports are a great example of that. Go over the scores and ask your child about them. Help them brainstorm ways they can be more prepared, or more actively engaged. These are skills that will help your child in school and beyond!
Lastly, I do need to bring up student drop off. Yesterday we had a situation where a car tried to get out of line and it made for an unsafe situation. We know that our driveway isn't well designed, and that's why we all need to be careful. Please make sure you are driving slowly and following the directions of the staff outside. It's for the safety of everyone!
Enjoy the weekend,
Jill Wnuk
Principal
Equity Corner: Episode 1
Greetings Comp Sci Families!
Welcome to the first edition of the Equity Corner! This is a new edition to the Comp Sci Newsletter that will focus on the work of our Comp Sci Equity Representatives and the Student Equity Team.
Our job is to help work to ensure that Comp Sci is a warm and welcoming environment for ALL students, that differences are celebrated, and barriers to students’ success are removed so that all students can thrive!
Currently we are celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month through a series of announcements every morning showcasing different Hispanic change makers who have made a difference in our world, as well as interactive slides.
Our student Equity Committee meets every Tuesday to discuss important issues facing our students, and problem solve/brainstorm solutions. We also spread positivity to every student in our building through P.E.N, or Positive Equity Notes, leaving a kind note on all student lockers to help ensure a good start to their day!
Theme Coach Update
Our Computer Science and Technology classes are grounded in International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) Standards. Digital Citizen is the next standard, emphasizing the importance of students learning how to navigate the digital world effectively. This standard focuses on the students being responsible and ethical digital citizens who are aware of online safety, respect intellectual property, practice good online etiquette, think critically about digital content, and safeguard their privacy in the digital world.
Digital Citizenship is not only addressed in computer science classes but also in advisory. This standard encompasses a vast number of essential skills to help students navigate today's digital world. Topics include being aware of their digital footprint and the permanence of actions in the digital world, learning about cybersecurity, including privacy settings and securing personal data. Lessons in online safety, such as phishing attempts and cyberbullying prevention, are taught. Also, students learn about credibility and accuracy of digital sources as well as respect for copyright laws. This is a critical standard for today’s middle school students and highlights the importance of CompSci’s theme for today's young adolescents.
By Diana Beardsley
Advisory
September, 2023
Dear Family,
As part of our curriculum, your child participates in our Tuesday Advisory program. This time is devoted to help support your child’s success in school, focuses on social and emotional learning, and helps to develop the whole student. Students need skills for learning, coping with challenges, making good decisions, handling strong emotions, and getting along with others.
To assist with this we are using Second Step® Middle School, a research-based social-emotional learning program designed to improve students’ social-emotional skills, such as emotion management, impulse control, problem solving, and empathy. Second Step skills and concepts are designed to help students both in and out of school. Our focus this Fall is the Unit on Bullying and Harassment. Students learn how to recognize bullying and harassment, stand up safely to bullying, and respond appropriately to harassment.
Other units in Second Step include the following:
Thoughts, Emotions, and Decisions: Students learn how to recognize strong emotions and unhelpful thoughts, and apply strategies to manage their emotions and reduce stress. Managing Relationships and Social Conflict: Students learn strategies for developing and maintaining healthy relationships, perspective taking, and dealing with conflict.]
Additional Advisory topics will assist students with team building, internet safety and digital literacy as well as interactive activities to help build positive relationships.
Thanks for your support as we work to build a safe, caring, and supportive school community. Should you have questions regarding Second Step or the Advisory program, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Sincerely,
Cheryl Sansone
School Counselor and Advisory Coordinator
Guidance Department
Carla Joseph-Trim , x3153
6th Grade Counselor
Email: ctrim@crec.org
Leigh Skal, x 3160
6th Grade Social Worker
Email: lskal@crec.org
Cheryl Sansone, x3152
7th Grade Counselor
Email: csansone@crec.org
Miguel Falcon, x3156
7th Grade Social Worker
Email:mfalcon@crec.org
Joey Braiewa, x3154
8th Grade Counselor
Email: jbraiewa@crec.org
Jocelynn Nelson, x3155
8th Grade Social Worker
Email: jtnelson@crec.org
Nitza Rivera, x3150 (bi-lingual)
Administrative Assistant
Email: nrivera@crec.org
School Nurse
General School Information
Academy of Computer Science and Engineering
337 East River Drive
East Hartford, CT 06108
(860) 290-5320
Fax# 860-291-3159 (860)-290-5330
COMP-SCI MESSAGES
Would you like to receive these messages via text? If so, please text Y to 67587 to opt into this service (one time). Once you opt in, you will receive future messages about bus delays via text. You can opt out anytime by texting N to 67587. There is no charge for this service but your standard message and data rates apply.
CREC’s Statement of Diversity and Inclusion
“Capitol Region Education Council (CREC) is an intentionally diverse social justice organization whose members work to acknowledge, respect, and empathize with people of all different identifiers, such as race, socioeconomic status, gender identity and expression, education, age, ability, ethnicity, culture, sexual orientation, language, nationality, and religion. In accordance with CREC’s mission of equity, excellence, and success for all through high-quality educational services, our staff and students commit to participate in and support ongoing equity and inclusion programming through curricular and co-curricular offerings, professional learning, and local and national partnerships. Moreover, CREC staff and students strive to understand and confront the symptoms and causes of systematic oppression—ranging from implicit biases to micro aggressions to discriminatory policies, practices and traditions—that benefit privileged groups. While at CREC, staff and students commit to affirm and honor the lived experiences of others, to willingly challenge inherited beliefs and ideologies, and consequently learn, grow, and serve.”
BELL SCHEDULE FOR SY 2022-23
Students’ bell times is as follows: 7:20am -1:55pm (Full Day) and 7:20am – 10:45am (Half Day)
Picking up your child early
When picking up a student early from school, a note is required and should be given to the front desk Security Guard.
Parents/Guardians are to provide ID for verification when signing out any student. Anyone other than the parent/guardian
Who is asked to pick up a student must have the parent’s written permission; that individual is required to be in our
Emergency contact or be named in the note provided by parent—and will also need an ID.
Address Change Reporting
Help us keep our records current by reporting any changes to your child’s demographic information. Please complete the Address Change Form and bring in the necessary information to complete this process. Complete and return to Mrs. Rivera
In Guidance with any changes to your address and/or phone number. By doing this you will assist in jump starting your child’s bus stop change needs.
Request to Board a Different Bus
Click on the following BUSING PROTOCOL for more information. Please call the school 860-290-5320 with any questions.
Pick up and drop off procedures
Please read the following CLICK HERE for procedures when picking and dropping off your child.
TRANSPORTATION Information
RSCO Transportation Inclement Weather Letter
RSCO Transportation Emergency Closing Information CLICK HERE
Click on the following link for texting information, both in English and Spanish, about busing during inclement weather.
2022-2023 Transportation Reimbursement
Transportation Reimbursement is allotted for Families who reside outside of the CREC Transportation District & do not utilize CREC transportation in any way. Both criteria must be met to receive mileage reimbursement.
Lost & Found
Bins can be found in the 1st and 3rd floor offices, guidance and in the gymnasium. Bins are emptied the last Friday of the month.
Student lunch accounts
During SY 2022-23, through the Community Eligibility Commission (CEP), ALL students attending Comp-Sci will receive free meals.
SNACKS ARE BACK!!
Snack items (chips, juice, etc) will cost extra. If your child will be purchasing snack items, simply add money to your child’s lunch account.
For your convenience, below are ways you can add money to your child’s lunch account:
Pay electronically by registering with My School Bucks. Please remember this takes 1-2 business days.
**To register go directly to www.myschoolbucks.com.
**You must choose Crec as your child’s school district.
**You must register if you do not already have an account.
**If you have an account, please enter your user name and password to access your account.
**You will also need your child’s lunch identification number. If you need help locating your child’s number, please contact us.