The semester is almost half-over, and you know what that means -- it’s one big rush until the end of the school year.  Whatever it is that you thought you were going to get done before then, consider this a nudge in the right direction.  And yes, I really am cleaning out the basement -- just very, very slowly.

sandi kurtz

submitarticle@csca.thecenterschool.net

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

Bring Out Your Deadlines

The quarter ends on April 7 -- cut off for late work is April 1 (no joke).

And seniors need to get all their paperwork for physical education credits, service learning hours, and the ever-popular miscellaneous in on April 1.  (again, no joke).

From the Blogosphere

from Claire Star, Sophomore Secretary

The TCS Student Senate is proud to announce the launch of The Center School's Student Senate blog, “A Little Off Center.”

“A Little Off Center” is run by members of the Student Senate with the purpose of keeping our student, teacher and parent community informed of what we're up to. Here we have weekly posts with a summary of the minutes from our weekly meetings (starting with the 2nd Semester of the 2010-2011 school year). In addition, “A Little Off Center” also features links to a calendar of school events, PE and Community Service Hours forms, as well as club formation and fundraising forms (these forms will be coming soon).

All members of the TCS community (that's parents, students and teachers!) are encouraged to become a follower so that you can stay up to date with us! The link to the blog is: http://tcssenateblog.blogspot.com/

Additionally, if you would like us to write a post on “A Little Off Center” about an upcoming school event, etc., please send us an email at tcs.senateblog@gmail.com.

Taking Care

from Moses Goldfarb, aka morning announcements

Batman and Robin, aka Ms Britsova and Ms Katz, are starting the Healthy Lifestyle campaign, that promotes a drug and alcohol-free life. If you're interested in joining come Tuesday at lunch and there will be snacks, and maybe pizza. You get community service hours. a variety of activities will be offered, they are looking for talent.

Coming Attractions and Past Accomplishments

Save the Dates (Collect The Whole Set)

from Paul Dieter, CSCA president

The CSCA is hosting two House Party Fundraisers in May. These parties were a lot of fun last year with good food and wonderful entertainment provided by talented students. Pick the one that works for you or by all means come to both. You will be receiving an E-vite next week with more details and an opportunity to RSVP

May 7th 5 - 7:30

Home of Julie Vergeront

4204 47th Avenue South

May 15th 5 - 7:30

Home of Liz Wolk

3463 36th Ave West

CSCA Monthly Meeting

Thursday April 14th 6 - 8:30

Liz Wolk's House

3463 36th Ave West

Seattle, WA 98199

This will be a big meeting for our year, lots to prepare for. House Parties, New Officers, Budget along with the usual business. Come early at 6:00 for a pre-meeting social and then sit down to business at 6:30. Email Paul Dieter with agenda items and to RSVP: CSCA@me.com. We'll need everyone who can to come and pitch in.

Outside the Center School

Party On For A Worthy Cause

(Editor's comment -- we’ve had plenty of fun at 826 workshops -- come out to support a great program!)

Several current and former Center students are either organizing, or performing at a fundraiser for the non-profit writing organization 826 Seattle http://www.826seattle.org/, at the Vera Project on Wednesday, April 6th.

https://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=197242163632710

One of the organizers, Center student Lucille Corbit, sits on the Youth Advisory Board for 826 Seattle.

The headlining band, Brite Futures (formerly Natalie Portman's Shaved Head), includes former Center School Students.

https://www.facebook.com/BriteFutures

Los Gentlemen will play. The band includes Center student, Owen Burr

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Los-Gentlemen/187499921266559

Also playing are The Unibroz, comprised of Center students Moses Goldfarb and Samuel Wolk

https://www.facebook.com/unibroz

Volunteer Hours and Cheap Books -- a Potent Combination

from Friends of the Seattle Public Library

Not only do volunteers at the Friends Spring Book Sale April 15-17 get service learning hours, but they get first dibs on the goods -- more than 250,000 books, videos, CDs, DVDs, audio books and prints.  There are volunteer hours available from set-up to clean-up, April 14-19. For more information on volunteering, click here: Library Sale Voluneering You can sign up using an online form here: http://www.friendsofspl.dreamhosters.com/volunteer/  Questions? Contact Contact Patty Bollenbeck, Book Sale Assistant at 206-523-4053, http://www.friendsofspl.org

Cornel West on Current Events

from Joey & Aimee Bullock

“Fight Back USA” is a free webinar with Cornel West and Frances Fox Piven discussing “austerity, debt, corporate greed, and what you can do about it.”  Antioch University Seattle (2326 6th Ave., Seattle) is hosting the web presentation and discussion on April 5, 11am -2pm.  For more information on the event check http://www.fightbackteachin.org/nationalcall.html and http://www.antiochseattle.edu/events/index.html#/?i=1

Parent Volunteer Hours – Reminder!

If you volunteered to help, don't forget to advise TCS volunteer hours monitor, Nancy Hom at skallywag@comcast.net of your hours. She will record your time for our school. She also has forms she can send you to fill out electronically and email back, or you can print, handwrite your hours and turn in at school. Libby Simeon and Kathy Webb have a clipboard in the CSCA mailbox with a volunteer hours log to enter in manually.

SPS Superintendent Coffee Chat

from Alliance for Education

Community coffee chat with Dr. Susan Enfield, Interim Superintendent of Seattle Public Schools, Tuesday, March 29, 8-9 am. at the Central Library, Betty Jane Narver Reading Room (10th floor),1000-4th Ave. Open to the general public. Additional coffee chats will follow throughout the year.  For more information about the Alliance, contact info@alliance4ed.org, 206-343-0449

Summer 2011

Summer Possibilities

from Moses Goldfarb, aka morning announcements

New Job Listings including applications for Student Conservation summer jobs at Mount Rainier and Seattle Parks are now available in the 3-ring Job Binder in the Commons!  NOW is the time to apply for these jobs.

And Summer Impossibilities

The school district has had to cancel much of its Summer Semester Program for this summer.  From Seattle Public Schools:

SPS Summer Cancelled

“The current estimated budget gap for Seattle Public Schools FY 11-12, based on the governor's proposed state budget, is $36.6 million.  District leadership and the school board understands fully the impact of not being able to host a district sponsored summer school program; however, with the magnitude of the budget gap, they have little recourse but to work to preserve core programs within our system.

The district will continue to provide Extended School Year (ESY) services to students who are eligible.  Contact the Special Education Department for more information.

The District has compiled a Summer School Resource List to include both internal and external offerings across the Seattle area. Click here SPS Summer Semester  and contact the programs directly for detailed information.

There is conversation underway currently with community partners to determine if there are opportunities for them to either individually or collectively offset the summer school funding gap. However, those conversations are still in flux and no definite commitments have been made at this time. Parents should contact individual schools for building specific programs, and for a list of community based summer offerings.”

Last, But Not Least

OK, You Give It A Try

Tired of hearing about stymied attempts to balance the federal budget?  Here’s our chance to show what we can do.  From the New York Times Deficit Project, an interactive federal budget -- cut in one area and leave another alone, follow the impact on the total debt.  Caveat -- the NYT is starting to charge for online contact -- you get 20 free links/month, so make sure this doesn’t put you over your personal budget limits.

http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2010/11/13/weekinreview/deficits-graphic.html