The CallowAy Dean’s Memo.04 September 19-23

Vision Statement:

Cab Calloway School of the Arts is an exemplary high performing inclusive fine and performing arts school where our graduates will demonstrate mastery of academic, artistic, and social skills that will enable them to be productive, creative, and civically responsible global citizens.l

Mission Statement:

Cab Calloway School of the Arts provides a rigorous curriculum where arts and academics combine to cultivate the development of independent investigation, critical and creative thinking, and innovative application of acquired skills.

Motto:

“A community where the energy of arts and academics unite!”

Table of Content:

• Archived Dean’s Memo
• RCCSD Calendar
• CCSA Calendar
• Parent and Student Support: Contact List
• Delaware Student Success: College Application Timeline and Resources
• CCSA Mobile App
• YMCA Free 7th Grade Membership
• Geometry Math Teacher Welcome Letter: Xue Xodong
• ELA Reading and English 12 Honors Classes
• Spanish Classes Update: Dr. Judith Montilla
• Social Worker: Alyana Blythe
• List of Clubs and Extracurricular Activities
• Community of Care: Family Engagement Opportunities

The RCCSD calendar and CCSA calendars will keep you informed about upcoming district and school events.

The CCSA Calendar link below provides directions on syncing the CCSA calendar and Block Rotation calendar to your allows for your phone or google calendar.

• September 19th: A Few Good Men @ 2:30 PM
• September 20th: A Few Good Men @ 2:30 PM
• September 21st: Dance Team Practice
• September 21st: National Blue Ribbon School Award Special Recognition Board Meeting @ 7:00 PM
• September 29th: Back to School Meet the Teacher at 6:00 PM

Staffing Updates

Geometry Class: Xue Xudong

We welcome our new Geometry Math Teacher, Xue Xudong who will join the Cab Calloway School of the Arts team. We thank Martha Eldreth who served as the Long-Term Substitute at the start of the school year.

ELA 6th Grade Reading and 12th Grade Honors:

• We want to thank Mrs. Marianthi McElwee for her service here at Cab Calloway. Unfortunately, she served her last day on 9/16/22.
• We are conducting interviews and will look to hire the best qualified teacher for this position.
• Each class will be addressed by administration this week and a letter will be sent home to parents with the hiring status, along with a plan providing our students instruction during this transition time.

Spanish Classes: Dr. Judith Montilla

• Dr. Judith Montilla will be joining the Cab Calloway School Community on September 26, 2022.
• We thank Mrs. Morris (World Language Chairperson) for providing support during this transition.
• Each class has been addressed and a welcome letter will be sent home by the end of the week.

Alyana Blythe

• We welcome Alyana Blythe as our new School Base Social Worker.
• She will be working with our students and families.
• She has a wealth of experiences and resources to support the need of our school community.

8th Grade Social Studies Teacher: Andrew Bedell

• We thank Mary Cauley for her service as the long-term substitute for Mr. Bedell.
• Mr. Bedell is set to return on September 29, 2022.

6th Grade ELA Teacher: Cassidy Dunsmore

• We congratulate Mr. Dunsmore on his new additions to his family. He will be out effective 10/17-1/24.
• We will look to assign a qualified Long Term Substitute teacher to his classroom during his absence:
• There will be letter sent home with updates regarding this assignment.

Culture and Climate Updates

From the desk of Dr. Dawn Downes

Back to School Night

• Parents and guardians are encouraged to join the faculty and staff of Cab Calloway at Back to School Night on September 29th from 6:00 – 8:00 PM.
• Parents will have the opportunity to rotate through their student’s schedule and meet their teachers. In addition, the School Counseling Office, Wellness Center, and library will be open.
• The PTSO will have Cabbywear for sale in the lobby. When parents arrive to open house, please report to your student’s homeroom to pick up their students’ schedule. Refer to this document to learn your student’s homeroom number.

Getting to School On Time

• At the grade level assemblies two weeks ago, the administrative team emphasized the importance of getting to classes on time. We are thrilled that most of our students are following the expectation. However, after looking at the data from the last week, an additional concern is students getting to school on time.
• All of our buses arrive to school on time, so if your student rides the bus, getting to their first class on time is probably not an issue. However, students who are car riders or drivers need to be aware that being late to school can result in a detention.
• This week we are giving student drivers and student car riders warnings and letting parents know that we are noticing a pattern. After this week, when students are late to school, it is an unexcused late. When a student has three unexcused lates to school or to their classes within a two week period, they will be assigned an after school detention.

School Picture Days

• Students in grades 7, 8, 10, and 11 will take their school picture on either September 28th or 29th according to the following schedule.

Student Extracurricular Activities

• Clubs and after school activities will be starting up over the next two weeks. The current list of activities is at the link below. The administration will be working with club advisors to finalize meeting days and times, so check the list often as it will be updated daily as we receive confirmation from club advisors that the club will continue to meet this year and the schedule is created.
• If parents are not able to provide transportation home for students after and after school activity, we do have an after school activity bus that will pick up students at 4:30 PM and take them to hub stops throughout the district. If your student needs to ride the activity bus, review the bus stops at this link. They will not be the same bus stop your child rides to and from school, and your child needs to know which activity stop they will use when they get on the bus at 4:30 PM.
• Additionally, the time that the student arrives at the hub stop depends on how many students are riding the bus and if any stops may be skipped.

• Congratulations to Brian Drake for being recognized as one of Delaware’s Outstanding Teacher.
• Congratulations to Amy MacGuinness for being featured in Delaware Today as a change agent “Generation Amazing”

Middle School Dance Program

We would like to recognize Dance Major of the Month Kamyra Brown for her hard work, dedication and growth as a dance Major.

Terri Pruitt: Delaware Teacher of the Year Finalist

• Welcome me in support of our very own Terri Pruitt, who is a Delaware State Teacher of the Year finalist.