Welcome back to the CSI Times I'm so excited to be welcoming you back for this year's December edition of the Charter School of Inquiry Times. This month's newsletter will be jam-packed with news, pictures, information, and announcements.

Important Dates

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Holiday concert! We will be hosting a holiday concert on December 15 at 1:00!

November Author's Event See page 3 for a brief write up on another success!

Picture Make-up Day December 1st will be the make up day for student pictures.

DECEMBER 2 Extended day

cancelled for monthly Faculty meeting

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DECEMBER 23 Extended Day

cancelled. No school 11/24-1/02/2017.

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JANUARY 3 Happy New Year's!

Classes resume today.

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2016-17 DECEMBER 01, 2016

CSI TIMES The Charter School of Inquiry Newsletter

Winter is fast approaching: Snow Day procedures With winter around the corner, it's time to think about snow days. In the event of inclement weather, the decision may be made to close the school. When the school is closed, it will be listed as Charter School of Inquiry on the closing lists of all major television stations, as well as online and on our Facebook page. As a rule of thumb, when Buffalo Public Schools are closed due to the weather, CSI will also be closed.

Talking with Kids (ages 6-8) about the News

At every age and stage, children are affected by what's happening in the news, whether parents share this information or shield them from it — because the news is everywhere.

What They Understand about the News

School-age children experience a shift in thinking about news and current events. They not only have questions about "What is happening in MY world," but also begin to ask, "What is happening in THE world?" However, this shift in thinking is gradual and each child will make this transition in his own way.

While school-age children do begin to understand events in context, they often

understand them one piece at a time and become scared by what they see and hear. For example, a child may know, intellectually, that the police car speeding by with flashing lights and its siren blaring isn't going to do anything to him, but he may still duck. This is because his intellectual awareness is not integrated with his emotional response, and he still feels scared.

As school-age children become ready to understand events in the news, this becomes a time for limited media exposure and good follow-up discussions, "A child might ask questions about news she heard in school or might ask to watch something on the news. These are signs that a child is ready for some limited exposure," notes Jane Katch, M.S.T.

Media Recommendations

Most children between 6 and 8 are not ready for full exposure to TV and radio news reports. Turn off your TVs and radios when truly disturbing news is played.

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CSI TIMES DECEMBER 01, 2016

UPDATED CONTACT INFORMATION All students must be up-to-date with current contact information for parents and/or guardians. If your address or phone number changes, please contact the school immediately. It is critical that we have the correct contact information in case of an emergency.

Limited exposure is recommended. Listening to or reading the news selectively with your child encourages him to gain an understanding of events. Discuss significant news stories such as the Sandy Hook shooting or Hurricane Sandy with your school-age children, in developmentally appropriate ways.

Communication Strategies

Discuss important news with your school-age child. It's recommended that you DO bring up the subject of war, violence, and environmental disasters on the news with your older child.

Find out what your child knows already. You might initiate a conversation by saying, "Have you heard anything about the shootings in Newtown, Connecticut or Hurricane Sandy?" If your child says "Yes," talk about what she knows, and answer her questions with age-appropriate information. On the other hand, if your child says "No," you might say "well if you hear about it and want to discuss it, let me know" or describe the event in an age-appropriate way, depending on the circumstances.

Reassure your child that he is safe. Some kids will ask about how news events relate to them, in very specific ways. Others may express

concerns about their parents' and family's safety, and adults need to respond in very specific terms, being honest but not discussing every detail.

Don't over-correct or over-explain. School age children will often construct "versions of the truth" in their retelling of an incident. It's not necessary to tell them they are wrong and correct them, unless their version will cause them extra concerns.

Follow the news with your child. Monitoring the news together and discussing it helps a child follow a cycle of events, such as elections, sports, weather, and environmental changes.

Encourage your child to learn more. If your child shows interest in a particular issue, you might suggest she research it further. Expose your child to a variety of types of sources. Go beyond daily news by reading web sites, history books and magazines.

Second Autumn Author's Event at CSI! In late November, our third grade students again hosted an Author's Chair Event here at CSI. The students shared personal narratives they had authored. Afterwards, they impressed

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ILLNESSES AND RETURNING TO SCHOOL In order to ensure the safety and well-being of all students, we are asking that when a child is absent or goes home due to illness, parents keep their child out of school for at least 24 hours following the last signs of illness. This is to decrease the possibility of spreading the illness to other students.

the attendees with their knowledge of math facts and the continents. The students again did a great job representing CSI and we are very proud. And congratulations to Ms. Gingrich, Ms. Serafini, and Ms. Eaton for organizing such a wonderful event! Thank you for the parents who attended, and stay tuned for more Author events in the future.

Parent Association meeting The third meeting of the Charter School of Inquiry Parent Association has been scheduled for December 15, 2016, from 5 - 6PM. Please let your voice be heard and join us here at CSI for this very important meeting.

Holiday Concert! COME ONE, COME ALL TO OUR FIRST ANNUAL HOLIDAYS AROUND THE WORLD CONCERT, PERFORMed BY OUR K-3 STUDENTS!!

WHEN: DECEMBER 15, 2016 @ 1:00 P.M. COME SEE YOUR CHILD SHINE!!!!!

ANY QUESTIONS PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CONTACT MS. VINSON AT 833-3250 ext. 119

HOPE TO SEE YOU ALL THERE!!!!!

Head of School's message As we return from Thanksgiving break, I am reminded that there are so many things to be thankful for here at CSI. First and foremost, we are thankful for the trust, respect, and support you give by sending your student here. We work tirelessly each day to provide the best possible learning experience for your child, and we are honored that you have given us this opportunity.

With the winter holidays quickly approaching, I just want to take this opportunity to wish all members of the CSI community a wonderful holiday season filled with warmth and cheer!

Rob Fetter

Head of School

CHARTER SCHOOL OF INQUIRY 404 Edison Ave.

Buffalo, NY 14215

716 833-3250

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