December 20, 2010
Dear Center School Families and Students:
Welcome to a new school year. Our first day of school is September 7th. A new school year is always exciting. Our focus in the 2011-2012 school year will be around the Four Pillars of Successful schools introduced by the Seattle Public Schools Superintendent, Dr. Susan Enfield. The Four Pillars plan includes excellence for all in the areas of providing exceptional instructional principal leadership, ensuring the best teachers for every student, presenting opportunities to create family connections to the school and receiving quality service and support from the central office; all to support The Center School’s mission to empower and inspire each student so that each is ready for the future, ready to positively impact our world.
In the 2011-2012 school year, our staff will continue to keep our academic, college preparatory emphasis on all content areas of Humanities, Mathematics, and Science via arts integration and reading and writing across the curriculum, building on each year to reach district and state standards, as well as providing High Quality Instruction in the Fine Arts, CTE and other electives to grant each student an opportunity to develop areas of interest and skill.
As we begin this year, please remember that this is your school and we welcome your involvement. To increase communication between home and school, we are asking all families to subscribe to The Blast newsletter that is distributed electronically. The Blast serves as a link between home and school and informs you of the important events and schedule changes. To subscribe to The Blast, please visit the Center School Community Association website at: csca.thecenterschool.net Look for the red "Subscribe" box, fill in your name, email address and respond to the confirmation email link and you will be a BLAST subscriber. In addition, communication networks include TCS website (centerschoolseattle.org) and the district Source linking you to your student’s schedule and grades.
The beginning of the school year is just around the corner. 9th grade students, new students and their parents/guardians are invited to attend a school orientation on Tuesday, August 30th at 6:00 p.m. This activity will be held at The Center School and will start with an all district Back- to-School Celebration event for all Center school students at the Fisher Pavilion at 4 pm. During that time your family and friends will enjoy an all city band, as well as have an opportunity to converse with the district personnel. At 6 pm, we will start our program in the Center House, at The Center School, in Rm. 353.
Our agenda will include opening remarks from the Principal, Counselor, CSCA representative and student leaders. There will be team-building activities, prizes and more. During the presentation, you will learn about our “Center Mentors” program, where your Senate representatives who are committed to welcoming you to our school will help you with the transition. They will answer any questions you may have as a new student. Hopefully, the friendships you establish with the current students will continue and support you throughout the school year. In addition, via the “Center Mentors” program, you will get connected with the other TCS families who will welcome you to our school.
Mark your calendars, everyone! There will be a back-to-school night September 20 from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. in Conference Room A, in the Center House. You will meet your student’s teachers and visit their classrooms that day. I encourage you to join us at school activities and participate in our school programs. Please utilize the school website and The Blast regularly. As you know, such involvement lays a strong foundation for positive role models with our students.
As another way to connect with our community, and to keep families posted on current events at The Center School, you are also invited to a “Coffee with the Principal” event held every Friday in September from 10 to 11 am at the Center House Food Court Starbucks. This is a wonderful opportunity to stop by, say hello or to present any questions you might have about your child’s education. I’m looking forward to seeing you there!
While “Coffee with the Principal” is an informal opportunity to discuss what is happening at The Center School and to gather your thoughts and opinions about how we can continue to meet the needs of our students, if you have any specific questions about your child’s transcripts or scheduling, please call the office (252-9850) to make an appointment with Karen Harmon, our counselor.
Important information to recognize:
Mandatory one-day-school closure: please note that there have been some changes to the school calendar due to the budget cuts, and the Seattle Education Association membership authorized a package of furlough days over the next two school years. Due to this agreement, and to minimize the impact on classrooms and our students, the first furlough day will be on Wednesday, August 31st. Thus, due to the Labor Laws, our school employees are mandated to refrain from working at the school and even from working on school-related business at home, accessing email, making phone calls, etc. that day.
9th and New Student Orientation: August 30th, 6 - 7 pm (District Celebration at the Fisher Pavilion from 4-6 pm)
First day of School: September 7th (see bell schedule below)
Length of school day: 8:30 am – 3:05 pm
Homework Club: 3:05 – 4:30 pm Tuesday/Thursday
Picture Day: September 14th
School supplies: 3-ring binder, spiral notebook, pencils/pens, flash-drive. Your teachers might have additional supplies specific for their class – see teachers’ syllabi to be distributed within the first week of school
Free meals program: If you feel you may qualify for the free lunch/breakfast program, a one-page application and instructions will be mailed by the district. Regularly, meals are $3 for lunch and $2 for breakfast.
Bus transportation: all eligible students will receive an Orca metro bus card for transportation on metro. The bus cards are handed out after school begins.
All school team-building activities: to ensure positive school climate and reduce any form of bullying (cyber or direct), as well as to strengthen our ability to work together, to allow all of us to get a chance and be acquainted with each other and the school norms there will be an all-school arrangement tentatively scheduled for September 21st. More details later.
Our office re-opened on August 1st. If you have questions, please call the school office at (206) 252-9850.
Seattle Center construction plans: yes, the Seattle Center is open! The phrase for this month is “Open During Construction” and the Seattle Center staff is busy doing lots of little things that make it possible for the grounds and buildings to stay open to the public during project construction. Please note, though, that the best place to drop off your students during the school year will be at the circle next to EMP; Thomas and 2nd will have lots of trucks during the day and the road might be closed.
We look forward to a very exciting and event-filled year with you and your student. If you have any questions, feel free to contact us.
Please take some time to enjoy the remainder of your summer.
Sincerely,
Oksana Britsova, Principal
(206) 252-9855