9-15 May 2011

A short introduction to a long list of items this week. There's stuff to do, stuff to plan for, stuff to watch out for and stuff to be happy about. Take your pick!

sandi kurtz
sandik@drizzle.com
206-523-6553

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This Week at the Center School

MAP Testing, Part the Second

from Geraldine Carroll
It's Spring, so that means it's time for MAP testing! Seattle Public School's MAP testing (Measurement of Academic Progress) will begin next week and continue for the month for all 9th graders. All 9th graders will be tested in Math and in Reading. Please remember that this includes any student with 9th 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. You might even look at your student's MAP scores for past tests, which can be found under "Assessments" on the Source.

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

WEEK OF MAY 9th:
Tuesday, 5/10: Ms. Pritchard's Humanities AND Language Arts 9th graders - Math test
Thursday, 5/11: Ms. Pritchard's Humanities AND Language Arts 9th graders - Reading test
Friday, 5/12: Make-up for students who did not complete their testing

WEEK OF MAY 16th:
Tuesday, 5/17: Ms. Storey's Humanities 9th graders - Math test
Thursday, 5/19: Ms. Storey's Humanities 9th graders - Reading test
Friday, 5/20: 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.


Past Accomplishments/Coming Attractions


Mystery Guest

Can you identify this mystery performer at last week's Talent Show?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6T22npgMj0o


May CSCA Board Meeting

Wednesday, May 11th, The Center School Commons
6:00 - 6:30 potluck - please bring something to share, 6:30 meeting begins. We'll review the first house party to cue up the Magnolia party. Other agenda items will include forming a 2012 budget committee, Arts Showcase, end of year events and upcoming election of new officers.

We've had a very encouraging response from freshman and sophomore parents in the past two months, but we are still under the gun to identify parents to lead committees and participate in the CSCA in the 2011/2012 school year. June is when CSCA sets the agenda, programs and vision for next year and this is the time to get involved and direct your community organization. We have two meetings and an all-school event this week. The time is right now for you to plug into CSCA and your child's education at TCS.


Having Fun While Doing Good

The CSCA launched the first of its House Party fundraisers last weekend at Julie Vergeront's home. We're grateful for her hospitality (and sorry about the general wear, tear and smears) and looking forward to the second round. This weekend it's the Magnolia neighborhood, and hostess Liz Wolk - come for the friends and the food, stay for the fundraising. Sunday. May 15th, 5-7:30pm, 3463 36th Ave West, 206-283-3328, lizwolk@yahoo.com


The Best Laid Plans

In this episode of the long-running serial, CSCA Seattle, our plucky leaders will discuss projects and goals for next year's board. Come for the potluck dinner, stay for the drama, hosted by the intrepid Sandi Tennyson. May 13, 6:30 pm, Crown Hill Community Center, (where Small Faces is located), 9250 14th NW.


And Save the Date for Even More Art!
The Center School Arts Showcase is coming up fast, on May 19, featuring visual and performing arts from all levels. Work from beginning, advanced and AP classes, poetry, film, drama, photography and graphic design, as well as tasty snacks and great conversations.


It's About Water, But It's Not All Wet
from Rachel Zupke
"This week in class we did some skits about water's unusually cool properties. I threw them together and put them on my YouTube channel (www.youtube.com/mrszupke) which is also accessible on the right side of my blog (click the link in my signature to go to the blog). They had a great time doing their skits and even more fun watching themselves and their classmates. I hope you enjoy watching this as much as we did here in class.

 

Parent Volunteer Hours - Reminder!
from Nancy Hom
I know there are many events going on this week/ month. So if you have hours to report, just let me know (skallywag@comcast.net). I also have electronic forms that people can print and hand write the info in, or store it on their computer and hand it into me when it gets full. (Volunteer Log) Or you can just let me know you typical weekly/ monthly hours and I will regularly enter it in for you. For example, I enter the same amount of hours in every week for Sandi for writing the Blast..


Time for Popcorn

Center School students scored a major victory Sunday and more than $3,500 in prizes by winning the 48-Hour Film Off at the National Film Festival for Talented Youth (NFFTY). The team comprised of Tara Conley, Riley Moffitt, Jasiah Ruby, Sophie Mitchell and Sam Wolk competed against teams from seven other western Washington high schools. The filmmakers had 48 hours to produce a three minute film from start to finish.

On Thursday evening, the teams were given their assignment: Produce a movie on the theme "Show us your jam" that incorporates a musical instrument, a scene of artistic inspiration and the line "behind the performer." The Center team brainstormed the idea Thursday night and filmed all day Friday. While most teams went the expected route and made films with musical themes, the Center team took the assignment literally and made a movie about jam - with hilarious results.

The movies were shown Saturday night at the SIFF Cinema at Seattle Center, and the winning entry was announced to a packed house at the same location Sunday. The Center School entry, "Jam the Jam," was the favorite of both the audience and the judges.

Center was awarded $2,500 for the school's film program, which is under the direction of Ms. Katz. In addition, the film's primary writer, senior Riley Moffitt, was awarded a $1,000 scholarship to The Prodigy Camp, a screenwriting program for promising teen filmmakers. Team members also got an assortment of other merchandise including a GoPro "wearable" video camera for the school film program. And here's proof. NFFTY

In other film news, Center had three films screened this last weekend at the CineYouth Festival, (part of the Chicago International Film Festival) this weekend. And Film 3/4 students produced a video for SSIA (Successful Schools In Action) which has been nominated for a student Emmy Award. Final winners will be announced on June 11th, so keep fingers crossed for Gina Matassa, Ella Miller, Tara Conley, Francesco D'Aniello, Zoe Brozman, Moses Goldfarb, Riley Moffitt, Fergus Farley, Kathleen McIntosh, and Matthew Wolf!

Congratulations to all these student film makers!


Beyond the Center School


Kayaking Update

The start date for this 4 week series has been moved back to May 11, so there's still time to sign on for the course. At $10/session, this is a bargain introduction to the activity. For more information, or to sign up, email cindydieter@hotmail.com. And remember, this counts for PE hours!


Service Learning, Outside

EarthCorps offers multiple possibilities for service learning hours, around the city and further afield. Call 206-322-9296 or check their volunteer calendar on the website at http://www.earthcorps.org/volunteer.php They're currently looking for participants in their Forest Monitoring project, collecting data about urban forests, alongside other projects. Check their website "We're winding down here from another successful EARTH MONTH! This past month we asked you to "Do Something Good for the Earth" and you all responded. Over 3,300 volunteers joined us this April to celebrate Earth Month and restore our urban forests! And we're still at it! Join us to restore one of YOUR local parks this month."


Transforming Transportation

If you live in West Seattle and have a student at the Center School, the ongoing changes to the viaduct and Highway 99 impact you directly. Center School parent and West Seattle resident Marty Hendley would like to strike up a conversation with other families in this predicament - contact her at hendleym@gmail.com, and in the meantime take a look at the West Seattle Blog for a more thorough description of the coming difficulties.
http://westseattleblog.com/2011/05/viaduct-squeeze-followup-metros-west-seattle-commute-tips


Summer Jobs for Parents/Teachers

Successful Schools in Action, a nonprofit organization working with the seven Magnolia and Queen Anne public schools, has openings for an elementary summer school classroom teacher and a Reading Instructional Assistant. These part-time, hourly positions will begin June 27, 2011 and run through Jul 15, 2011. (There will be no class on July 4, 2011.) Our academic summer school program will be located at Coe Elementary School and is for students currently enrolled in 2nd and 3rd grade. The program is specifically for students identified by their teachers as not at grade level: Level 1 and level 2, below 50%tile in math and/or reading. Class sizes will be small in order to maximize individualized instruction in reading and math. For more information check these job descriptions here Summer Instructional Assistant, Summer Teacher. Deadlines are May 20.


Last, But Not Least


Honkfest

Next weekend indulge your inner music geek at Honkfest, a collection of world music and novelty performers, including drill teams, marching bands, and a plethora of accordions. Saturday at Gasworks Park, Sunday at the Seattle Center. Schedule's here at http://www.honkfestwest.com