Emerging from the thrills of a Star Trek marathon with news for the coming week!  We are getting close to the end of the semester – if your student is a bit hazy about what they still have left to do, a trip to The Source might be a good idea.  As Captain Picard might say, “make it so.”

sandi kurtz

sandik@drizzle.com

206-523-6553

Remember, to unsubscribe to this newsletter, click on the link at the bottom of the page to get to the CSCA website.

This Week at the Center School

MAP Testing, The Final Chapter

from Geraldine Carroll

9^th GRADE MEASUREMENT OF ACADEMIC PROGRESS (MAP)

Seattle Public School’s MAP testing (Measurement of Academic Progress) continues this month for all 9^th graders.  All 9^th graders will be tested in Math and in Reading.  Please remember that this includes any student with 9^th grade credits, even if that student is in her second year of high school.   If you are unsure of your child’s status, please check the Source, where you will find the grade level listed.

Testing is organized by students’ Humanities teachers (see schedule below) and will take place on the assigned mornings beginning at 8:00 A.M.  Please note this early time; it is necessary to provide enough time for students to complete the testing.  Be sure your student arrives on time and well fed.  In addition, speak to your student about the purpose of MAP—to determine how students are progressing in their math and reading skills as well as to guide teachers as they plan lessons.  If students understand the test’s purpose, they are more likely to try their best.

Your 9^th grade student will test according to the following schedule, beginning at 8:00 A.M.:

This Week:

Tuesday, 1/11:  Ms. Storey’s Humanities 9^th graders—Math test

Thursday, 1/13:  Ms. Storey’s Humanities 9^th graders—Reading test

Friday, 1/14:  Make-up for students who did not complete their testing

NOTE:  Parents, if it is possible for you to help us set up the testing—turning on computers and logging students in—we would greatly appreciate it!  You would arrive by 7:40 and be finished by 8:05.  If you are interested, please contact Gerardine Carroll at gpcarroll@seattleschools.org.  Thanks.

Volunteer Opportunities- Daytime

from Audrey Kaplan

Please help our students succeed!

Looking for volunteers to help with Homework Club - Tuesdays and Thursday from 3-4 pm at TCS through the month of January.  Focus on math and science tutors.

Additionally we are looking for people with art or science experience to assist in classes on Tuesday, Wednesdays or Fridays. For more information, or to volunteer in either of these projects please contact Audrey at centerschoolvolunteers@gmail.com or 206 932-5560.

Center School Poetry Reading at Richard Hugo House

from Jon Greenburg

Come attend this semester’s poetry reading at Richard Hugo House.

Why?  Because poetry is important and this semester’s students have reached new levels of excellence

When? January 11th, from 7-8:30.

Where? Richard Hugo House, 1634 11th Ave, on Capitol Hill (hugohouse.org)

Beyond the Center School

CSCA Leadership Meeting

from CSCA board

Everyone is welcome to the next CSCA meeting on Thursday, 13 January, whether it’s to listen in, kibbitz, or volunteer.  Scheduled topics include fundraising, state of the school, upcoming school tours and recruiting new families.  Next CSCA Leadership Meeting 1/13 at the home of Julie Vergeront all are welcome  There is a social gathering at 6:00 and meeting starts at 6:30.  Please email Sabrina Friend if you can come, or if you have any questions.  sabrinafriend@yahoo.com

Vergeront/Wallach home

4204 47th Avenue South

Seattle, WA 98118

Lecture on Gifted Children and Teens

“Intensity Through the Ages, Celebrating our Children's Passion, Creativity, & Excitability”

Thursday, January 13, 2011 -- 7:00pm - 8:30pm

John Stanford Center, Auditorium (school district headquarters)

2445 3rd. Ave. S.

FREE

The Seattle Public Schools Advanced Learning Office and the non-profit organization Supporting the Emotional Needs of the Gifted (SENG) are sponsoring a free lecture on gifted children.  Speaking will be visiting author Lisa Rivero, (A Parent's Guide to Gifted Teens, The Smart Teens' Guide to Living with Intensity, and other books and articles.)  Parents, teachers, and all interested are encouraged to attend this free event.

For more information contact:

Stephen B. Martin, Advanced Learning

Seattle Public Schools

206-252-0882

303-868-1358 (cell, preferred)

sbmartin@seattleschools.org

Night at the Theatre Featuring Book-It Repertory Theatre's “Great Expectations”

Join The Center School Community on Wednesday February 9, 2011 for our annual Night at the Theatre.  Gather at the Book-It/Center House Theatre at 6:00 PM for hearty finger foods, a no-host bar and conversation and a pre-show talk by Book-It at 6:30 PM.  “Great Expectations” starts at 7:30 PM.  The evening is a great opportunity to share some fun with Center School families and raise funds for our school at the same time.

Tickets for reception and play:  $20 for adults/$15 for students.

Order tickets on line at www.brownpapertickets.com/event/143342

OR return form with payment to The Center School front desk

OR mail to: Center School Community Association, PO Box 19475, Seattle, WA 98109

Your “tickets” will be waiting for you at the TCS table just outside the theatre lobby.

This evening is made possible through the generosity of Book-It Repertory Theatre.  Ticket sales benefit the Center School Community Association and Book-It.  Questions or to help with the event:  Julie Vergeront, jvergeront@yahoo.com To see the swanky flyer, click here. Theater Night

Jewelry/Metal Crafting Scholarship through Danaca Design

from Nancy Hom

The Jewelry Art Stimulus Fund is an exciting new component of Danaca Design Studio. The fund is available to metal working and jewelry design students of Danaca Design in the form of scholarships to help defray the cost of classes in the studio. Each year the fund will be available to a new group in need. This year the proceeds will benefit Seattle Public School high school students in need. In response to the limited metal shops for jewelry making in the Seattle Public School system, Danaca Design would like to offer 9th thru 12th graders the opportunity to explore their creativity through jewelry making. This scholarship is available for new students to Danaca Design only. The application will be reviewed by a committee, members of the Danaca Design staff. For more information and application, visit the Danaca Design at www.danacadesign.com

Applications available: January 11th, due March 1st.

Volunteer Thanks!

from Audrey Kaplan, Volunteer Coordinator

Many thanks to the volunteers who contributed to the success of the Drama program play, The Man Who Came to Dinner!  Including, but not limited to: Paul Dieter, Karine Dzhavadova, Linda Fallow, Sabrina Friend, Laura Gibbons, Margie Slovan, Anne Stanton, Melissa Talevich, Julie Vergeront, Jana Vitols, and others who arranged volunteering through Molly Pritchard directly.  Many hands made lighter work – and kept those kids moving smoothly.

Also thank you for those who made our school directory happen: Sabrina Friend, Libby Simeon, & Clare Star.

Job Opportunity

Successful Schools in Action, a nonprofit organization working with the seven Magnolia and Queen Anne public schools, has an opening for a Program Manager for our elementary Debate program. This part-time, contractual position will begin February 1, 2011 to administer the spring debate session, and pick up again in Sept. for the 2011-2012 Debate year. This position is responsible for all aspects involved in administering two, 12-week debate club sessions in four elementary schools.  For more information on the position, and on the application process, click here.  SSIA job opening

Last, But Not Least

A Little Something in Your Tea?

Is your entertainment budget a bit strapped after the holidays?  This isn’t exactly free (they ask for a small donation to support their scholarship program) but the high school ensemble at Seattle Public Theater has been a home away from home for many Center School students, so it’s all in a good cause.  Their winter production is “Arsenic and Old Lace,” which some of us (myself included) performed when we were in high school, back in the Jurassic period.  Runs this weekend (14-16 January), Friday at 7, Saturday at 2 & 7, Sunday at 2. 7312 W Green Lake Dr N (The Bathhouse Theater), 206-524-1300, www.seattlepublictheater.org