Thursday, June 30, 2011

Art Classes with Ms. Cross

The student body is working on amazing art projects with Ms. Cross! Read below to find out what each grade is doing!
 
Kindergarten and Third Grades
  • Students are continuing to work on dream books.
  • They are also going to be casting stepping stones in June.
Fourth – Sixth Grades
  • All grades will continue to work on their dream books.
  • Students will be making tie dyed fabric in June.
Seventh and Eighth Grades
  • Students are working on books. They are illustrating a progression or time line in the book.
  • They will be visiting the Denver Art Museum this month!
  • Seventh grade will be making tie dyed fabric.
  • Eighth grade will be planning a mural for the wall south of the school building.
 
High School
  • High School students will be visiting the Denver Art Museum in June!
  • They are doing digital and film photography this month, as well as encaustics, which is painting with beeswax.

Make a Difference Day: Success!!

On Make a Difference Day the kindergarten class at Pikes Peak Prep cleaned up the school yard. The second grade and sixth grade class decided to venture out and clean up their community. Students were equipped with safety gloves as they went on a “Litter Walk” and picked up trash along sidewalks and in parks near the school. The fifth grade class went door to door to collect used soda cans. While collecting cans, the students provided information about the importance of recycling and explained how to recycle to local residents. The cans were cashed in and the money raised from the can collection was donated to the Cancer Society.

The Pikes Peak Prep third, fourth and eighth grade classes painted a large wall just south of the school with geometric shapes. They activity was supervised by the staff and our high school students. This project provided an opportunity for students to brighten up the neighborhood around the school. The El Paso County Household Hazardous Waste Collection Facility provided some paint for the project.

The ninth grade class spent their day trying to make a difference in the lives of the residents of Medallion Health Center/Retirement Community and Terrace Gardens Healthcare Center. This class spent the morning with the residents of Medallion in several capacities. Some students sittercised while others took a dip in the pool with independent residents and used their art skills. At Coffee Time, the entire class showed their musical talents by performing several vocal and instrumental tunes for the residents.

The afternoon was spent with the residents of Terrace Gardens. When the ninth grade class arrived it was snack time and the residents enjoyed their popcorn! One of the residents spoke only Spanish and it was a pleasure to hear one of the Pikes Peak Prep students speak in their language about the day’s events. It appeared that the students had a level of comfort around the older generation as one young man (98 years) had taken time to instruct one of our students on the ins and outs of the business world. To witness this conversation was just short of amazing!

In the end as one student put it, "I think we made a difference today, don’t you?"

Wednesday, June 29, 2011

Sixth Grade Updates

Students in Ms. Baerenwald’s sixth grade classroom at Pikes Peak Prep learned much during the last month of school.

In math, students learned data anaylsis and probability.  With this information students were able to anaylize graphs.  They finished up the lesson with an experiment to test probabitity and made a colorful graph to show their results.

Students are now able to identify bias in text. They used this when reading to create literature circles, and pick out key points in the text. They finished the school year with imagery and word choice.

Learning much about reading is helping students in their writing. Students learned about fiction stories and with this knowledge wrote short stories and poems.  These were then shared with fellow classmates in our "Poetry Corner."

In social studies, students learned about immigration and economics. During the unit, they learned the difference between investing and saving in economis terms.

Thank you Ms. Baerenwald for a great sixth grade year!

Tuesday, June 28, 2011

Senior Year, by Asheley Gregor

Since Kindergarten I have lived in the Harrison School District and I absolutely loved the school system, which led to my decision in choosing Harrison High School.The school’s major focuses were athletics, education, and making sure every student had a memorable high school experience.

The expectations at Harrison High School were not very high, and though I had my friends at school, i chose to leave and seek a better education. My search led me to Pikes Peak Prep, which I was not fond of at first due to the "Prep." I didn't like the idea of attending a prep school but with the guidance of my step-mother I enrolled.

I soon realized that the school was not as bad as I thought it was. Mrs. Nace and Mrs. Levicki were the first two teachers I met. All of the teachers are very kind and understanding. Pikes Peak Prep has offered me a hands-on learning experience and because the student population is not very big, I know most all of the faculty and staff as well as the students. It was also an exciting time when the school received iPads from the GEO Foundation, which are utilized everyday. The Middle College Program offered at Pikes Peak Prep  is a great head start for those of us who want to get a head start on our college career. And finally, another reason I love Pikes Peak Prep, is that it provides students with an H.E.A.R diploma which stands for Higher Education Academic Requirement.

Asheley Gregor
Senior 2011

Fifth Graders are Learning!

Ms. Kimball’s fifth graders are learning much during the month of June.

In reading, students finished reading Lewis and Clark and have begun Freedom Train and are learning about their adventures. In reading groups, they are currently learning about different nonfiction genres like biography and memoir. Students are also independently reading and are encouraged to read more and more challenging books.

Students are learning about fractions, percentages and ratios in math class. Students are able to convert between the three and will soon be able to calculate the percent off of a cost.

In social studies, students have finished a unit on slavery. They learned about the causes of slavery, the triangular trade and the effects of slavery. They are learning about the American Revolution. Each student created an American Revolution board game. Students played these games as a review for their unit test.

To finish out the year in writing, students are learning the art of persuasion. They are currently publishing Loyalist and Patriot newspapers.

Thank you for a wonderful 5th grade year!

Monday, June 27, 2011

Positive Changes: A Student Story

My name is Demi Oakley, I am in tenth grade, and I attend one of the best schools ever.

Before coming to Pikes Peak Prep, I was the student that recieved C's and D's, I wasn't used to a dress code, and I definitely was not used to having homework every evening. After my first week at Pikes Peak I could tell they really cared about me as a student and as a person.

It wasn't about passing or failing at my school prior to Pikes Peak, it was about getting through the year without having to do much work or having any problems with the students. At Pikes Peak the teachers actuall care that I recieve an education. When I ask a question they will provide an answer as opposed to saying, "I will address questions later," and never come back to questions, there is tutoring provided after school for when I require additional help. At Pikes Peak Prep it is about a quality education and helping me meet high standards and getting the most of my education.

At Pikes Peak Prep, I have a B average, which is a considerable difference from what I had at my old school. I can now also span my education further than before with the Middle College Program offered. Pikes Peak is has had a positive impact on my education and on myself as a person. I feel more determined and have more confidence knowing that my teachers care and listen. I am no longer just a girl going through the public school system, but a student. When I successfully graduate I will be able to hold my head high and know that I am a great asset for others as individuals and businesses. Without Pikes Peak I wouldn't be who I am today and what I have yet to become.

Fourth Grade Updates

Ms. Studebaker’s fourth grade class is finishing up the month of June strong as the students have learned a variety of topics in reading, math, science, and social studies.

The students have read Ray Bradbury’s Martian Chronicles and have studied the new genre related to this science fiction novel. Also, they are working diligently on distinguishing a main idea versus supporting facts.

In math, the children are working with units of measure, data collection along with graphs, and working on fifth grade entry math topics such as areas, perimeters, volumes, and other standard measurements.

The human body systems has been a big science topic this month. The students understand the nervous system more in depth now by analyzing medical drawings that have been of great help in this science endeavor.

What about social studies? The children have been studying African Kingdoms, more specifically working with Ghana-related projects. Also, Ms. Studebaker’s students worked with timelines in relation to Medieval African studies. Finally, the curriculum will be finished off with Asian studies and touching basis upon American Revolution leading into the following year, 5th grade.

Thank you Ms. Studebaker for a wonderful 4th grade year!

Friday, June 24, 2011

Student's View of PPP

My name is Daneila Cole; I was born in Kingston, Jamaica on August 11, 1994. Before I came to the U.S I went to Marcus Garvey Technical High School. I was there for 3 years and I never got an 80% on any Math test English, Science, Social Studies or Spanish.

Ever since I came to Pikes Peak Prep my grades have been better. I have a decent grade in every class because we have tutoring. At my old school we did not do tutoring because we had over 3 thousand kids so the teachers would not have enough time for them. But we did evening class but that was at six and you had to pay for it.

When I first came to PPP I did not like it because I was used to public school with a lot of kids. But then the longer I stayed here, I found out that this school is a great school.

At PPP the teachers have time to help every single student. I hope that I get to stay at PPP because if I go to another school my grades will not be the same. In October, 2010, something great happen to our school, all the high school kids got an IPAD. We all loved those IPADS. We did everything on those IPADS; we did homework for Ms. Levicki and we did web quest for Ms. Duran and other things for other teachers. So Pikes Peak Prep is a great school. So I hope that more kids can come and have a great time like a do.

-Daneila Cole

Third-Graders at Pikes Peak Prep

Remember third grade? Pikes Peak Prep third graders from Mr. Vorster’s class are starting summer with an agenda filled with a variety of subjects that will keep them thinking through the hot days of the season. Reading, Math, Science, Social Studies, and Writing will keep the children busy and learning!

Mr. Vorster’s students will not just read for fun, they will start making connections with the texts, which will increase their comprehension levels! More thinking, more learning. The children will retouch on math problems that may need extra attention to avoid future headaches. When in comes to science, did someone say Geology? Yes, the children will begin to study the world of Geology. Remember Social Studies? These third-graders will touch upon colonies, economies, and local government topics this summer. Finally, to finish off the learning experience this June, Mr. Vorster will have his students share their science and social studies knowledge through descriptive writings.



Great job Mr. Vorster! http://www.pikespeakprep.org/teachersites/vorster.html

Second Grade with Ms. Reinhardt

Second grade students at Pikes Peak Prep in Ms. Reinhardt's class are learning a lot this month.

Reading
During the first week of June students will review reading strategies that allow good readers to retell both fiction and nonfiction text. They will then practice inferential thinking by making connections to a text and end the year reviewing text features and structures that allow us to be good readers.

Math
Students are studying word problems. These word problems will require students to use their knowledge of previous as well as new mathematics concepts and arithmetic.

Science
Students will study magnetism. They will discover that magnets can both attract and repel objects. During the last two weeks they will learn all about insects. They will study their body parts, what they eat, and how they interact with their habitats.

Social Studies
Students are beginning a study of economics. They will be introduced to the concept of scarcity and how people in a community manage scare resources. Students will also continue to review their basic math skills of using legends, keys, and a compass rose.

Writing
Students will focus on descriptive writing. They will be required to use more precise language and vocabulary in their writing while maintaining structure and organization of a paragraph.

First Graders Learning During June

At Pikes Peak Prep, Ms. Murray’s First Grade students are studying:

Reading
Students are continuously doing DIBBELS testing to assess their progress.
Reading groups are working hard and are reading harder with harder books/selections!

Math
Students are working with money, telling time, time phrases, addition, subtraction, double digit addition/subtraction. On June 17th, the class is going on a field trip to the Money Museum!

Social Studies
Students are learning about American Symbols, where they came from, what they stand for, and why it is important to know and recognize these in our country and community.

Science
Students are exploring our universe and where they are in it. Students are taking a field trip on June 8th to the Mitchell High School Planetarium!

Thursday, June 23, 2011

Classroom Activities- Kindergarten


Students in Ms. Sherman's and Ms. Trox's kindergarten class at Pikes Peak Prep are learning much during the month of June.

Literacy
We are very proud of our Kindergarteners. Every reading group is in beginning or up to first grade level books!

Math
Students are learning height, weight, and volume. They made a class height chart. They are looking at the volume of different things in the classroom. Students will continue to practice addition and subtraction through the end of the year.

Science
Students are studying plants and seasons, reviewing plant parts and different species of plants as the seasons change. We will also be reviewing animals and insects; connecting the many concepts they learned in science this year.

Social Studies
Students are learning about South American and Australian cultures and celebrations.

PPP Marching Band Performs in the First Juneteenth African American Caribbean Heritage Festival Parade

 

The Pikes Peak Prep Marching Band led by Mr. Thomas Willmann, proudly marched in the first Juneteenth African American Caribbean Heritage Festival Parade down Ohio Avenue into John Metcalfe Memorial Park in Fountain, Colorado. Students held the Pikes Peak Prep banner while Principal, Dr. Arnold with all the Pikes Peak Prep supporters insured that the gleaming eye and jubilant personality of our mascot, the soaring eagle was on his job! Fountain, Colorado Mayor, Jerry Howell, read the emancipation proclamation as the Buffalo soldiers proceeded with the "raising of the flag ceremony". Endorsed by all the El Paso County Commissioners, June 16, 2011,
Colorado became the first state to host such an event.


What an historical event to be part of!


Wednesday, June 22, 2011

Words of Wisdom from Nurse Nowland

Happy Summer!

The sun can be both beneficial and harmful, following the general rule of moderation is best. The sun provides for us Vitamin D, something our bodies cannot live without. Sunshine affects our hormones in positive ways, boosting our immune system and our moods! And, most of us have experienced what happens when we are out in the sun too much-SUNBURN, or even worse, heat stroke. Sunburns can lead to a higher risk of skin cancer, in fact, one of the most deadly kinds of skin cancer, malignant melanoma. So, let us take advantage of the sunshine but in moderation. The safest times to be in the sun are before 10:00 a.m. and after 3:00 p.m. This is when the sun is the least intense. If you are in the sun between 10:00 and 3:00, wear sunscreen and/or cover up with a hat and light clothing. The following information is here to remind us all of several summer rules of sunscreen usage-thank goodness we have it!

Did you know?
Exposure to the sun during daily activities and play causes the most sun damage.
Overexposure to sunlight before age 18 is most damaging to the skin.

HOW TO USE SUNSCREEN:

A sunscreen protects from sunburn and minimizes suntan by absorbing UV rays. Using sunscreens correctly is important in protecting the skin. Consider the following recommendations:
· Choose a sunscreen for children and test it on your child's wrist before using. If your child develops skin or eye irritation, choose another brand. Apply the sunscreen very carefully around the eyes
· Choose a broad-spectrum sunscreen that filters out both ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB) rays.
· Apply sunscreens to all exposed areas of skin, including those easily overlooked areas, such as the rims of the ears, the lips, the back of the neck, and tops of the feet.
· Use sunscreens for all children over 6 months of age, regardless of skin or complexion type, because all skin types need protection from UV rays. Even dark-skinned children can have painful sunburns.
· Apply sunscreens 30 minutes before going out into the sun to give it time to work. Use it liberally and reapply it every two hours after being in the water or after exercising or sweating. Sunscreens are not just for the beach - use them when your child is playing outdoors in the yard or participating in sports.
· Use a waterproof or water-resistant sunscreen.
· Use of a sunscreen with SPF of 20 to 30 offers substantial protection from sunburn and prevents tanning. High SPF sunscreens protect from burning for longer periods of time than do sunscreens with lower a SPF. Talk with your older child or teenager about using sunscreen and why it's important. Set a good example for them by using sunscreen yourself.

-Pikes Peak Prep Nurse Nowland

June School Wide Character Development

Pikes Peak Prep Character trait word for the month of June is LEADERSHIP. This month we will be working on understanding why leadership is important and how it impacts our future and educational success.

We will be commending leadership behaviors and talk about the ways you can be a leader in academics, overall character, and relationships with classmates, teachers, friends and family. We will also highlight the ways leadership impacts our educational success and creates opportunities for triumph and growth.

We will also continue the character trait tickets. When students are seen displaying leadership actions they will be rewarded with “Caught Being A Leader” tickets. These tickets allow students the opportunity to be nominated for Eagle of the week and month.

Tuesday, June 21, 2011

Student Story: Dallas Holeyfield

My name is Dallas Holeyfield, and I am a current student at Pikes Peak Prep. I simply cannot put into words how thankful I am to be a part of this school, and to have a chance at free college credits. I started here last year and ever since I have been here my education has sky rocketed. Two years ago at a public middle school I got into trouble and always received a poor grade in every class. Now I am a sophomore at PPP. I haven’t received lower than an 80% the whole time I have been at this school! To add to that, I haven’t received one referral and because of my grades and behavior I plan to attend the college program next year. At this school I have received an exponential more amount of 1-on-1 teacher student time which has greatly aided in my studies. Now I have an Ipad to help me gather information quicker and even study without the use of a computer. The dress code allows me to give off a more professional outlook on people and myself. If I had never come to this school my education would probably not carry me far in my life, but now I am confident that when I graduate I will have enough skills to dominate any college I am interested in. Thanks to Pikes Peak Prep, I will prove to be a productive citizen in the American society.

-Dallas Holeyfield

Summer Reading Program for our Kindergarten Class



The Kindergarten class had so much fun joining the summer reading program at Penrose Library. They heard Scottish folktales from a professional story teller, Denise Gard. Student Rhiannon Martel got to participate as the monster in one of the stories. The Kindergarten class signed up for summer reading and had a picnic outside afterwards. The walk was lovely, not too hot and not too cold. Overall everyone had a fantastic time!


Story Teller Denise Gard and PPP Kindergartners

Monday, June 20, 2011

Student Story: Kadesha Williams

My name is Kadesha Williams; I am a sophomore at . I have been attending PPP for four months. When I first transferred, I thought there was no way that I would come to enjoy the school, and as days went by, I realized this is the school I have always wanted to attend Pikes Peak Prep; I just had never known it before. The small classes and personal attention are things I’ve always wanted in a school. And not to mention , the students are very amiable, helpful, funny, and smart. After a few weeks at Pikes Peak Prep, I finally felt I had a place.

Some of the best experiences I have had at the school so far were when I joined the volleyball team, the school got iPads, and I received the Eagle of the Month award. I joined the volleyball team a week or so after I began school at Pikes Peak and thought it would be a great way to meet new people and have fun. We all got along well and still do to this day. The iPads are magnificent, we can find the latest news on current events with one touch of a finger, complete assignments, take notes, and find endless amounts of information. One last great memory of PPP was when Dr. Arnold, the Eagle of the Month from K-6 grade, and I went to lunch. We all enjoyed each other and as it turns out, Dr. Arnold and I have more in common than initially thought.

By coming to this school I now have the opportunity to earn college credits while in high school. The previous school I attended, did not offer a middle college program. I now have the opportunity to graduate with a high school diploma and an associate’s degree, which only makes my decision about having transferred to Pikes Peak ultimately the best!

Kadesha Williams
10th grade

FIELD DAY Approaching

FIELD DAY at Pikes Peak Prep is approaching! June 23rd is the day, so gather your energy and pride and come support the kids! We are looking forward for another successful day at the school filled with pure excitement and a competitive edge that will be a memorable summer day for the school and students. Come join us at Pikes Peak Prep and show your spirit!

Thursday, June 16, 2011

PPP Students Visit the Denver Art Museum

The 7th, 8th and two high school art students visited the Denver Art Museum on June 14th. Students raised the money to visit the museum by having a root beer float sale. Students had a great time exploring the “Marvelous Mud” exhibition and many of them got to throw clay on a potter’s wheel. Students also experienced the DAM’s permanent contemporary and modern exhibits, as well as many of the outdoor sculptures surrounding the museum.

Wednesday, June 15, 2011

Exploring the Gold Mines with Pikes Peak Prep

 
Recently the fourth grade class led by instructor Ms. Stephanie Studebaker went on the Cripple Creek Victor Gold Mine Tour. The day featured a tour on a bus from the museum in Victor to the strip mine. The tour included descriptions of many of the famous mining sites and buildings in Victor, as well as how much gold and silver was mined out, what type of minerals were exposed, and a bit about the mining process. The class looked over the edge of the quarry, viewed some reclaimed areas, and went down into the quarry to watch the huge dump trucks and shovels at work. The kids were amazed at the workings of the crusher and the control tower.However, their favorite part was getting to actually climb onto one of the huge earth movers, wearing hard hats and safety glasses the whole time. The students came away from the experience rich with knowledge not gold.

Our Kids Make A Difference

On Make a Difference Day the kindergarten class at Pikes Peak Prep will be cleaning up the school yard. Our students are proud of where they go to school and want it to look nice. The second grade and sixth grade class has decided to give back on Make a Difference Day by cleaning up their community. The class will be going on a “Litter Walk” during which students will pick up trash along sidewalks and in parks by the school. By removing trash from public spaces, they wish to both help the environment and make their school neighborhood clean. Students will sort what they find on their Litter Walk and dispose of everything in an environmentally friendly way. The fifth grade class will be going door to door to collect used soda cans. While collecting cans, the students will provide information about the importance of recycling and will explain how to recycle to local residents. The cans will be cashed in and the money raised from the can collection will be donated to the Cancer Society in honor of a student’s mother, who recently went into remission. The Pikes Peak Prep third, fourth, and eighth grade classes will be painting a large wall just south of the school with geometric shapes. They will be supervised by the staff and the 10th, 11th and 12th grade students. This project provides an opportunity for students to brighten up the neighborhood around the school. The El Paso County Household Hazardous Waste Collection Facility will provide some paint for the project.

The ninth grade class will spend their day trying to make a difference in the lives of the residents of Medallion Health Center/Retirement Community and Terrace Gardens Healthcare Center. The national average of visitors per year for a resident of a nursing home or assisted living facility is one per year! These students want to be more than that one visitor. This class will spend the morning with the residents of Medallion in several capacities. Some students will be sittercising while others will be dipping in the pool with independent residents and using their art skills. At Coffee Time, the entire 9th grade will be showing off their musical talents by performing several vocal and instrumental tunes for the residents. The afternoon will be spent with the residents of Terrace Gardens. Popcorn and social skills will be our first priority as the ninth grade class will be in charge of Popcorn Time. Students will be passing out popcorn to residents while having the opportunity to chat and visit. Later, the students will be King Pins of WII Bowling and will socialize with the residents as they get their afternoon of exercise and social time. The Pikes Peak Prep students look forward to making a difference with these projects throughout the community.

Tuesday, June 14, 2011

For Pikes Peak Prep, It's the Climb!

I don’t think Miley Cyrus had this climb in mind when she sang the lyrics “Ain’t about how fast I get there. Ain’t about what’s waiting on the other side. It’s the Climb”. Every week Pikes Peak Prep Climbing Club headed by Mr. Thomas Willmann and Mr. Anthony Vorster meets at City Rock engaging in the “routes and problems” or is it the other way around? The challenge and focus required to do a “climb” is tremendous! The adrenaline rush, Wow! Not to mention the acknowledgement of inner strength paired with a partner called self-esteem and fabulous teachers that help you to understand its all well worth it! Colorado has some amazing sites. This week our students were at Shelf Road Recreation Area, outside of Canon City, Colorado. This area is managed by the BLM and is best known for its world-class sport climbing. They’re advertising is right on “It’s more than a great climbing area!”

The climbing club is only one of the many clubs that is offered at Pikes Peak Prep. Students meet on a weekly basis to participate in experiences that include yoga, gardening, science, photography, and of course climbing. These clubs are lead be the dedicated staff.

Friday, June 10, 2011

Future Leaders at Pikes Peak Prep

What does tomorrow hold?  The answer to that question can be boundless with the thought that our children have the power to become our future innovative leaders.  In essence, educating the young minds of those children who aspire for bright futures is the key to a more promising outlook for our years to come.

Eileen Alvarez is a student at Pikes Peak Prep who will be part of the Middle College Program the school offers to their students.  Ms. Alvarez is ecstatic about knowing that she will be receiving college credit while still being a high school student.  It’s like a two-for-one deal! This young lady will continue to work hard and maintain high academic standards that will differentiate her from others as a strong and young leader.

Thursday, June 9, 2011

The Final Concert of the School Year

Maestro Willman once again sent us on a whimsical journey Tuesday night with the schools final concert skirted with the magic of a child’s first concert fleeced with a theme of love and the belief in it and the elementary students concluded with “Here comes the sun”. George Harrison would be proud of our little darlings! Wait, wait the high schoolers sent us into a whirlwind with the energy of a cyclone from the jazziest of timeless pieces ” Unforgettable” to the Beatles” Blackbird” and then ,the Band got our hearts going with their pieces time warped with a piece that was both eclectic and mesmerizing

                                    The Pink Panther meets R2D2. Can’t wait for next year!!

Wednesday, June 8, 2011

Students View of Technology at PPP

Now let me ask you a question? Does your school have iPads? YES, iPads! Well, as of October, 2010, Pikes Peak Prep is the ONLY school in the country to give iPads to the High School students. It doesn’t end there! Pikes Peak Prep is getting more exciting technology you’ll simply just love. Want to know what it is? You do? Well enroll at Pikes Peak Prep so you can find out.

If you love technology and want to pursue it as your future, well what I’m about to tell you next will blow your socks off. You can be a technology assistant and help out with any tech issues, and it is documented on your transcripts special recognition. Can you believe that? Opportunities exist for students to be Learning Guides in Art, P.E., and even cross grade level teaching.

- -Adrian Martinez 10th Grader enrolled at Pikes Peak Prep

10th Grade Student Testimonial

Have you ever dreamed that your school had everything? Like a great education, great teachers, great technology, and most importantly FREEDOM!! Here in Colorado Springs dreams do come true. All you have to do is enroll at Pikes Peak Prep. Never heard of this school? Well let me tell you a little about it. This school is K-12 and offers a Middle College Program. Wow! Isn’t that amazing you can start college in the 9th grade, how awesome would that be, but wait, there is more!

Every single teacher and staff member at Pikes Peak Prep is loving, caring, and quite frankly just AWESOME! There are no other words to describe these teachers. In order to help students excel, teachers provide free tutoring and one on one support after school. Since the moment I stepped on campus, teachers greeted me with smiles and enthusiasm.

Our school has a music program like no other! Music flows in and out through the school. Unlike other schools, students/parents don’t have to purchase or rent instruments because we provide them free of charge. We have vocal, instrumental, and band opportunities for all age levels. The teacher also expands students’ abilities with one on one free private music lessons of any instrument after school. Like music, all students enjoy Art, Physical Education, and Spanish as part of the curriculum.

Now, are you thinking, “Oh well, I like what I’m hearing about Pikes Peak Prep, but my school offers yearbook, or maybe even student council.” Well don’t worry Pikes Peak Prep has that too, but that’s just two of the clubs we offer. Additional clubs are Photography, Rock Climbing, Technology & Video Editing, Science, Chess, Garden, Girl Scouts, and Yoga.

I’m going to let you in on a little secret. Pikes Peak Prep has the best gym in the country. Don’t think that we just have a gym for the looks: we have a great variety of competitive athletic sports Including volleyball, basketball, and much more.

Isn’t Pikes Peak Prep just a dream come true? I’m living the dream and you can too!!!!!

-Adrian Martinez 10th Grader enrolled at Pikes Peak Prep

Tuesday, June 7, 2011

2011 Pikes Peak Prep Field Day

Pikes Peak Prep’s Field Day is scheduled for Thursday, June 23rd. The students will be participating in different stations with their homeroom class. The homeroom teacher will stay with their class throughout all stations. Each station will be 15 minutes long. Classes will rotate to a different station and an air horn will signal the time to move to the next station. Volunteers will be present at each station and lead the class through the activity. The volunteers will stay at their stations. Only the teacher and their class will rotate stations.
 
Students should be prepared to participate in physical activity outdoors. For dress, students are allowed to wear t-shirts (please have minimal writing on them) shorts or sweat pants, and please wear athletic shoes. Hats and sunglasses are allowed as well. It is recommended that students dress in layers, bring their own
sunscreen and water bottle both labeled with their name.
 
Discipline procedures for field day are the same as a regular school day. Students who are having behavior problems will be sent to the front office and removed from activities.
 
The rain date for Field Day is Monda, June 27th, and a decision of whether or not to postpone will be made by 7:45 AM on June 23rd.

The shedule for Field Day is as follows:
  • Kindergarten through 3rd grade will be in the morning from 8:15 and ending at 9:45.
  • Fourth through sixth grade will be from 10:00 – 11:30.
  • Grades 7-12 will have their Field Day from 12:30 – 1:30 for students with 80% mastery in their classes. A softball game will be played on the blacktop with grades 7, 8 and 9 vs. 10, 11 and 12.
There will be a detailed schedule that lists the specific time and station number that your child’s class will be participating in available at the front desk. There will also be a map of the location of the stations available at the front desk.

Monday, June 6, 2011

Learning during the month of May

During the month of May, students in every grade became immersed into the learning web and were exposed to a wide variety of thrilling projects that enhanced their education.

K- Students learned about height, weight, and volume. They also continued learning their addition and subtraction.
1st- Students learned about the world’s three main religions (Judaism, Christianity, and Islam). They learned the main similarities and the major differences of these religions.
2nd- Students learned and used map skills during daily geography drills. They reviewed directions, keys, legends and scales.
3rd- Students worked on composing narratives, persuasive letters, and findings from research.
4th- Students learned the circulatory system to continue with the study of the human body systems.
5th- Students learned about solids and shapes. The students can now identify faces, vertices, and edges on cylinders, cones, cubes, rectangular prisms and triangular prisms.
6th-Students learned about ecosystems, ancient Egypt, integers, and dividing fractions. They are also learning to identify bias in text, themes, imagery, and word choice.
7th- Students learned about Meiosis. They have learned germ cells are the only cells in eukaryotes that are destined to become gametes or sex cells; sperm and egg.
8th- Students involved themselves in an in-depth unit focusing on the geography of the United States. In this unit, students created twelve maps and one graph.
High School- Students learned about World History, including the Middle Ages. Spanish I students have reached the level where Professor Carlson is able to speak more fluently to the students. Spanish II students learned about the imperfect and preterit tenses. In Government, students gained an understanding of the American’s Creed and the ideas represented within it.

Friday, June 3, 2011

Free Tutoring and Helping Students

Pike’s Peak Prep offers free tutoring for those students who may be in need of extra help on Mondays and Thursdays afterschool. Mondays are dedicated to Reading, while Thursdays are used for Math assistance. Attendance is required for those students who do not meet an 80% or higher rate efficiency in Math or Reading. Required attendance to these tutoring sessions will be used as a tool to increase the overall academic performances of each child. Furthermore, a continuous testing system, also known as DIBELS, takes place in the classroom to ensure that each student is working towards reaching his or her highest potential in regards to testing. Pike’s Peak Prep is dedicated to excellence. The school strives to reach its goals by working diligently with students to help them succeed in school one step at a time.

















Wednesday, June 1, 2011

History for the Month of May

Students learned the two early waves of immigration into America during the late 1800’s and early 1900’s. They utilized their prior knowledge to brainstorm definitions for immigrant, illegal immigrant, and undocumented immigrant and shared these definitions with classmates, as well as answered questions about immigration facts and statistics. Students participated in class discussions where they had to share and support their opinions using reasons, facts, and examples.
They conducted research using Internet, news and primary sources to learn about the opinions of various groups representing a variety of viewpoints about early immigration in America and its effects. Students learned about current laws/pending legislation related to immigration reform by utilizing primary sources. To conclude the unit, students composed a persuasive essay describing their views about immigration and how it shaped the cultural aspect of early America.