The BLAST | The Center School Newsletter 2011-2012

Wednesday, May 23 2012

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The Weekly Newsletter Published by the CSCA. A must if you want to know what is going on at Center (and in case you haven't noticed, teenagers are not the most forthcoming, so really, you'll know nothing without it.

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BLAST Article Ideas

Do you have an idea for a BLAST article?

We want to know what you know, and we want to know what you need. Send us your specific content, or your ideas for content. If you have Blast content to get out this week - please submit it by Friday at 3 pm. The Blast goes out late Sunday night, and covers school life for the following week.

Things we like to know:
- School News, in and out of the building
- Opportunities for Center School students (volunteering, classes, performances, etc)
- Student, staff and faculty accomplishments beyond the school.
- And the ever-favorite "misc."

By now you've seen the motley collection of stuff that qualifies for the Blast -- if you've got something that fits that very elastic category, send it in. Make sure you tell me what's going on, where and when it's happening, and how to get in touch with the people involved, if participation is the goal. And let me know how long you think it should run.

To submit news, events, or calendar items to be included in the Blast, send an email with subject line "News" to: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Event Submissions

If your happening or event has a time and place, is of general interest to the CSCA and TCS community, tell us about it. Your event will be listed on the CSCA site and appear in various places depending on your event category.

Basic Essential Event Information

Title: Title of your event. Should be an official name.

Date: When is it? Include all dates, start and end date.

Time: When, again. Please provide a Start and End time. If we do not have an official End time, we will estimate a reasonable length but would really rather not. Make a guess so we don't have to.

Event Description: The narrative description of your event, or, "the Blurb." What will happen at the event? Who will be presenting the event? Is someone of interest appearing, e;g., Superintendent, School Board Member, Principal, etc.? What do attendees need to know? This should be a brief overview.

Because date, time and venue are already published, this information is not as important in the description. Plan to restate date, time, and place after your blurb. If you restate title, date, time and place at the beginning of your blurb, it will be redundant for readers who will already have that information in the preceding text.

Place: Event Venue.
Where is it? Use official names, e,g. "Seattle Repertory Theatre," = good, "The Rep" = bad. Just assume your reader is unfamiliar with the area and may have to look up the address. In the case of the SRT, it is already in the system complete with the official address and automatic directions using Google Maps should the reader require the information. Complete, accurate information is crucial. Please include:

Address: - As in street address. Include city, sate and zip code at minimum.
Website URL: - As in internet address.
Images: If at all available - and they usually are. Bonus Points: Provide an image of the venue or space. These are usually readily available on the venue webpage. Simply right click on logos or images and download to your device and attach or send a link to the images.

Note that once an event venue has been entered, it is permanently in the system. Therefore a number of frequently used venues are already entered.

Additional Information (useful, but not required)

Event Contact: Name, email and phone

To add your event to the CSCA Calendar, email details to:
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

If your event has a longer description or ties to broader issues, feel free to include it and submit the story to: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Deadlines

Deadline Submission Guidelines

Deadlines are just that, but for our purposes, events requiring less description. Deadlines will appear on the calendar for the day and time they are set to expire. Less information is required for deadlines. These are typically published to keep readers mindful - and provide them with a resource they can find - of important deadlines throughout the year. e.g., SAT Test Dates, Registration Deadlines for programs, colleges, what have you. The following information is necessary.

What's the Deadline? For example, SAT test sign ups, Financial Aid forms, register for this or that.

When: Date and Time necessary. When is it due? In the case of Mail-in, dated material, e.g., Postmarked by April 15th, 2012. Otherwise, provide time and date.

How do I meet the deadline: Describe what needs to be done to fulfill the deadline. e.g., All forms must be completed and postmarked by April 15, 2012, or, "delivered to the Hall of Arts and Sciences office located at room 267, University Building by 5:00 p.m. October 18, 2011. Admittedly, there are fewer "drop off" deadlines, but they exist.

Where can I find more information? Typically, this deadline notice is not the primary communication for readers. This is intended to be a courtesy reminder, therefore we don't need to provide in depth details in our notice. However, we should include a link to more information on the deadline. As the Deadlines tend to be nationally known in the case of SAT or ACT testing, providing a URL for the deadline is both easy and helpful to readers.

To add a deadline to the CSCA Calendar email the above details to:
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

TCS & CSCA Event Calendar

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The BLAST | The Center School Newsletter 2011-2012

Blast | 5/21/12

CSCA 2011-2012 - The BLAST | The Center School Newsletter 2011-2012

View The BLAST Online | View BLAST Archives

21-27 May 2012

I spent part of Sunday evening with a group from my son's K-8 school -- our kids are all about to finish with high school and move on to other adventures. We had a great time, with the usual exclamations about how much people had grown and how exciting their plans were. Email and Facebook made it relatively easy to contact them all, to plan something and get them all in the same room at the same time -- before we all scatter at the end of the school year, whether it's just for the summer or for the next big thing, take another look around where you are right now.

sandi kurtz
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
206-523-6553

Center School Connections
The Center School - Center School
Center School Community Association (aka PTSA) - CSCA
Facebook - Center School on Facebook
CSCA Meeting Minutes - CSCA Minutes
Center School Wish List - Wish List
Report Volunteer Hours - This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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

The Regular Stuff
Homework Club meets after school Monday and Thursday.
No coffee with Ms Britsova Friday -- it's Senior Celebration (see below)
Soccer scrimmage Monday 3:15-4:30 at Memorial Stadium

The Irregular Stuff

So What Do You Want The Center School To Look Like Next Year?
CSCA General Meeting, Tuesday 22 May, 6:30 pm at school. Calling all CSCA members, please attend this important general meeting on Tuesday. We want to hear from you. We'll briefly talk about what we want CSCA to do next year. We'll review and vote on our budget for next year, and we'll vote on two proposed revision to our by-laws. Please bring a small refreshment to share.

Senior Celebration
Center School seniors present the results of their year-long projects to all and sundry, including you. (though it won't take a year to hear about them), Friday 25 May, 9:30 am -1:30 pm. There will be snacks! (This means there's no 1-6 schedule on Wednesday -- instead we have Mon 1/3/5, Tu 2/4/6, Wed 2/4/6, Thur 1/3/5.)

Coming Attractions and Past Accomplishments

Big Thanks for a Good Time
from Peggy Morgan
Thanks to all the parent volunteers who helped with the staff appreciation lunch on May 15: for donating food, beverages, and decorations, and for setting up and cleaning up. It was a nice event enjoyed by all.

Sign My Yearbook?
First you have to buy one -- yearbook order form will be available at school starting Monday 21 May, with all orders due Monday 4 June. Price this year is $40. And if you'd like to insert a little something special, you still have until 25 May to purchase a display ad (check details here)

Writers in the Schools, at the Library
Center School students Lacaia Sauer and Tia (better known as "Z") Cooper will join some of their peers from the Seattle Arts and Lectures wonderful Writers in the Schools project, which matches local writers with local schools in powerful, innovative writing programs. This year poet Matt Gano has been working with CS students in Jon Greenberg's classes -- we got a chance to hear some of them read at the recent (Ware)House Party, and here's another opportunity. Central Library (1000 4th Ave.) Tuesday 22 May, 6 pm.

Last Call for Driver's Education
from Seattle Public Schools
Starting in the fall, the District will no longer offer traffic education. During lean budget times, the District can no longer afford to offer this program, which does not fall into our core academic mission. Costs to maintain and insure a car fleet, as well as staffing costs, are not fully covered by student fees. In addition, the District is no longer able to offer competitive prices to families, so we are seeing dwindling enrollment in traffic education. Only three school districts in the Puget Sound region continue to offer traffic education. However, Seattle Public Schools will still offer summer traffic education this year, before ending the program on Aug. 31, 2012. For more information, check their website.

Hollywood 2012
Get ready for your close-up at the Center School prom, Saturday 2 June, 7:30-11 pm at the Century Ballroom. The posters are up at school, but if you haven't seen them (or if your student isn't likely to tell you all the news) -- it's an Old Hollywood/Red Carpet theme, so swanky is in style. Tickets are $25 for seniors, $35 for juniors and guests, and are available at school. Rachel Zupke is the faculty liaison for the event ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. ), if you have questions that your student can't answer.

Outside the Center School

What You Need on that Wall is a Nice Poster
from Margaret Chodos-Irvine, Queen of Silkscreen
Our Center School Flatstock Project crew (Skye Stewart, Pliny Stevens, Olive Burd, Sophie Mitchell, Danielle Blume, Max Mierzejewksi, and Riley Gish) will be selling their hand-printed posters and T-shirts at this year's Folklife Festival at the Seattle Center over Memorial Day weekend. The festival runs Friday - Monday , 11 am-8 pm. Our booth will be in the Founder's Court – north of the International Fountain between the Intiman Theatre and the Exhibition Hall. Stop by and check out their cool original artwork! We could also use a few parent volunteers to help run the booth if any of you are available and excited about helping the students sell their art! The shifts are 11 am-3:30 pm, and 3:30-8 pm. Please let me know if you are interested! This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Beyond High School

Get a Head Start on College Search
Admissions counselors are coming to the area from Duke, Georgetown, Harvard, Penn and Stanford for two session (Wednesday 23 May, 7:30 pm, Hilton Bellevue, 300 - 112th Ave. SE, Bellevue; Thursday 24 May, 7:30 pm, SeaTac Marriott, 3201 S 176th St.. SeaTac) Check the website to register or for more information.

Summertime!

Youth in Focus
This is one of the preeminent summer photography programs in Seattle -- nine weeks intensive instruction with professional photographers, including dark room work and digital editing. Scholarships are available, applications due 28 May, available online.

Summer's Coming -- Start Your Pencils
826 Seattle, the fabulous writing workshop behind the Greenwood Space Travel Supply Company, will start registration for their summer programs Friday 25 May. Due to big success on their part, they are asking students to prioritize their requests, so that they can enroll as many kids as possible. Check their website for summer offerings, and lay in a supply of paper.

RecTech Student Internships
Seattle Parks is looking for students (14-18 y.o.) with existing computer and internet skills (or the desire to learn) for help lead summer sessions around the city in parks department youth programs (current programs include Youth Media Corps at Delridge Media Corps, Filmmaking and Digital Design at Garfield Community Center, Sampling History: Hip-Hop Music Production at Rainier Community Center, Web Design and Your Community at South Park Community Center, and Digital Animation & Adobe Flash at Southwest Teen Life Center). Participants who complete the program earn a $500 stipend. Application deadline is 31 May -- for more information contact Michelle Chambers at 206-233-7005, or through their website.

Student Entrepreneurs
Ashoka Seattle "catalyzes citizen entrepreneurs to solve the most pressing social needs of the region," which is a fancy way of saying that they help people identify problems in the community and then find ways to solve them. Their summer Youth Venture program is designed to give students that opportunity -- to earn service learning hours while launching a social venture in their community. For more information, check their website.

Last, But Not Least

Ok, I know that disco is the butt of a thousand jokes, but I just wanted to take a moment for Donna Summer.

Blast Call and more - 5/16/12

CSCA 2011-2012 - The BLAST | The Center School Newsletter 2011-2012

View The BLAST Online | View BLAST Archives

16 May 2012

Happy Wednesday -- here's a little something for the middle of the week.

Comments, questions, etc? Just ask...

sandi kurtz
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
206-523-6553

And More...

Summer School Options
If your student wants to get ahead on some of their requirements, needs to fill in a blank spot in their transcript or just wants to explore other topics this summer, what are the possibilities? If they're currently enrolled in the Running Start program, they can register for summer quarter courses through the RS office -- you'll have to pay regular tuition, but you don't have to apply to the school separately. Or, you can take a look at some of the online programs available -- there is an ever-growing number of organizations offering distance learning programs, but they are not all appropriate for local high school requirements. Check out the state Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction website for their "Digital Learning" listings -- some are full-school programs, but others offer specific classes that might fill a Center School requirement or give your student a taste of something outside our current curriculum. If you have a question, make sure you contact Karen Harmon ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. ) before you spend your own money!

So What Do You Want The Center School To Look Like Next Year?
The CSCA's Annual General Meeting is coming up, Tuesday 22 May 22, 6 pm, at the school. Come help strategize the next year and find the volunteer leaders who will help us get there. We'll be voting on a the budget, and on two changes to our bylaws (lowering the meeting quorum from 12 to 10 members, and permitting students to be voting members of the CSCA) -- if you've ever heard yourself say "somebody should do something about that," well, here's your chance to be somebody! Contact Sam Star, current CSCA president, at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , or 206-789-3483 for more information.

Do you have an idea for a BLAST article?
We want to know what you know, and we want to know what you need. Send us your specific content, or your ideas for content. If you have Blast content to get out for the coming week - please submit it by Friday at 3 pm. The Blast goes out late Sunday night, and covers school life for the following week.

Things we like to know:
- School News, in and out of the building
- Opportunities for Center School students (volunteering, classes, performances, etc)
- Student, staff and faculty accomplishments beyond the school.
- And the ever-favorite "misc."

By now you've seen the motley collection of stuff that qualifies for the Blast -- if you've got something that fits that very elastic category, send it in. Make sure you tell me what's going on, where and when it's happening, and how to get in touch with the people involved, if participation is the goal. And let me know how long you think it should run.

To submit news, events, or calendar items to be included in the Blast, send an email with subject line "News" to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

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CSCA Mission

The Center School Community Association (CSCA) works to support the students, teachers and staff of The Center School in Seattle, WA. Your membership and support makes this possible. Our goal is to provide our members with opportunities to help shape the present and the future of CSCA and The Center School through the sharing of ideas and experiences.