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SEATTLE PUBLIC SCHOOLS SMALL SCHOOLS PROJECT THE SEATTLE CENTER
November 2001 Newsletter
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The Messenger
News from The Center School
Contents
| Volume 1, Number 2
Judith Peterson, Principal
| Schoolwide
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Principal's MessageAs the first quarter winds down, it is important to remind students and parents to maintain a steadfast commitment to school responsibilities. Regular attendance, completing all assignments, and actively participating in classroom activities are all vital components for student success. Expectations are high for students at The Center School - we can do no less in preparing our students for the post-secondary demands they will meet in future years. Parents can also assist in this endeavor by checking and discussing homework assignments, requiring reading at home (instead of television), hosting study groups, and by connecting with teachers either by e-mail or telephone. Parent Conferences November 28The Center School will hold its first Parent/Teacher Conferences on Wednesday, Nov. 28. Students are also encouraged to attend. The conferences will be held between 2:00 and 7:00 p.m. Appointments are not required, and you are welcome to come anytime between those hours. We believe, however, that the busiest conference time will be from 5:00 to 7:00, so we advise you to come before 5:00 if your schedule allows. (Parking is not available in the church lot.) You may visit with teachers in any order you choose, but to allow time for as many conferences as possible, they will be limited to seven minutes per teacher. If a longer conference is warranted, you may arrange another date with the teacher. We see these conferences as integral to your student's academic success, and strongly encourage you to take advantage of this valuable opportunity to be an active participant in your student's education. Computer Use ContractStudents at The Center School are indeed fortunate to have access to many computers, and it is gratifying to observe the integration of this technology into their studies. However, some students are not using the equipment appropriately, and last week the problem got worse when two iBook laptops and a power extension were stolen from a classroom. We want to establish a culture of trust and respect throughout the school, and refuse to accept the excuse that "it's high school, so it's to be expected" (which I've heard). If you hear anything about this missing equipment, your call would be greatly appreciated. Laptops are to be used at school only; they are not for home use. These recent incidents have necessitated the implementation of a "Computer Use Contract." Students were given this contract to take home for parent signature. Computer use by students will depend on receipt of the contract, so we urge you to read and sign the contract and have your student return it as soon as possible. Judith Peterson, Principal | Teacher ProfileJulie Reeder, MathMs. Reeder is homegrown - she has lived in this area her entire life. She grew up in Edmonds and received both her undergraduate math degree and her M.A. in Math Education from the University of Washington. She began teaching math in the Lake Washington School District in 1986. A year later, she and her husband Dan (also a math teacher) bought a house on Queen Anne. This delighted her grandfather, now 92, because he grew up on Queen Anne. He loves to tell how he used to drive his Model A backward up 3rd Avenue West to keep gasoline flowing into the engine! In 1991 Ms. Reeder's first child was born and she took a break from the classroom. But she worked as a math tutor for several years and did volunteer work at Coe Elementary School on Queen Anne once her daughters, Allison and Andi, started school there. She began teaching again two years ago, at the International School in Bellevue. "I loved the feel of a small high school," she says of the International School, "and was impressed with how the students responded to the school's high academic standards. "When I learned that a similar school was being planned for my own community, I applied immediately. "I enjoy working with the students at The Center School, both in Math and
Interdisciplinary Studies. I'm excited about the future of this school,
and I have a sense of adventure about the challenges
we're facing this first year." |
Volunteers Still Needed! | Center School Government | |
Thanks To. . .Andy Edwards, Sandy Needham, Linda Olson, Debbie Overman, and Pat Utsunomiyac for helping Administrative Assistant Rebecca Anderson in the office; Chris Murray for sponsoring the Ski & Snowboard Club; Grace Reamer for sponsoring the student newspaper, "Off-Center"; Carol Hepburn for donating her legal expertise to the CSCA; and Wendy Graff, who will chair the CSCA's Community Relations Committee. |
Community AssociationAt its first meeting on Oct. 11, the CSCA selected Laurel Minter and Teru Lundsten as co-chairs, and Julie Reeder as recorder. Contact any board member for minutes of the meeting. You are welcome and encouraged to observe CSCA meetings. If you wish to speak, please be brief. We are just getting started and have many items on our agenda! Meetings are held the first Monday of the month, at 5:00 p.m. at the school. The dates for the remainder of the school year are Nov. 5, Dec. 3, Jan. 7, Feb. 4, March 4, May 6, and June 3. The April date has not yet been set because April 8 falls during spring break. The three parents on the CSCA are available to answer any of your questions about the organization. Feel free to contact them! Blair Butterworth Kathleen Doherty Goldfarb Teru Lundsten Special Parent MeetingKeep your eyes on your mailbox for notice of a special parent meeting hosted by the CSCA. We want as many parents involved in The Center School as possible. For starters, we need to form various committees, but it won't stop there. The meeting will be held after Thanksgiving. As soon as a date has been set, we'll let you know. | Student Advisory SenateSo far this quarter, the student Advisory Senate has made several accomplishments. We facilitated the selection of our official school colors and mascot: the red and silver Dragons. Even though we have no sports teams, we felt a mascot and colors would build school spirit and morale. We successfully lobbied for a drinking water supply in the form of water bottles at a cost of 50 cents each. Proceeds will go toward the soon-to-be established ASB treasury. We held our first "special interest reps" meeting and received proposals from students for clubs. Each proposed club must have a minimum of seven interested students. Clubs proposed were newspaper and yearbook (their work is already underway), school dances, and—yes—football, complete with cheerleaders! Other issues pending in the Senate at present include establishment of an ASB treasury and obtaining student discounts from local food vendors. Referral to the entire student body at Community meetings has been an important part of our process. If a Senate vote is close, indicating that the issue is controversial, revote in the Community meeting gives a more accurate vote count and forces students to rethink their votes. In addition to working on student-related school issues, we have also been working on the logistics of how the Senate itself will be run. Because our school is new, we feel this is very important. The organization and operation of our student government will likely be a focus throughout the school year. Matt Hepburn, 10th grade Note: Parent volunteers are needed to guide Advisory Senate meetings on Tuesdays at 1:00. |
Students of the MonthEach month, four students are recognized for their top academic performance or improvement, and for their cooperative and positive attitudes. Kudos to Cristina Bautista, Chris Megrey, Olivia Park-Sargent, and Charlie Webster, October's Students of the Month. We're proud of you! In addition, "Respect and Responsibility Awards" are given weekly to a variable number of students. These students are recognized by their teachers for responsibility, good citizenship, exceptional or significantly improved classwork, exceptional effort, a special achievement, or improved behavior. Each Wednesday, when the student body gathers at community meetings, the names of these students are put in a basket and one name is drawn for a prize. Fortunately, there are already too many names to list here, but be sure to ask your students if they have received a "Respect and Responsibility Award." |
Champion Pumpkin CarversWinners of last month's pumpkin carving contest were Sarah Kogan, Witney Lonseth, and Peter Stone. Boo to you all! |
Origins of The Center School |
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Historically, the Ballard/Magnolia/Queen Anne cluster had two large high schools to choose from: Queen Anne and Ballard. In 1981 Queen Anne High School was closed following a drop in enrollment as many families moved away from in-city neighborhoods. Ballard High School became the only high school in the cluster. In school year 2000/01, with many families now living in the city again, the geographical empty spot created by the closure of Queen Anne High School hit home for families living in this cluster. The newly rebuilt and greatly anticipated Ballard High School reopened, and most Magnolia and Queen Anne students had put it down as their first choice school. It was big, beautiful, and close by, and both communities had been assured that their students would likely go there. When the application results came in, however, almost no students from Magnolia or Queen Anne were admitted to Ballard. They did not receive the promised distance preference, so students from other parts of the city were admitted under other tiebreakers before those in the cluster were admitted. |
Magnolia and Queen Anne students were simply assigned to the schools that had room, no matter how far away they were or whether the students had chosen the school. This glitch in the school choice system was the impetus for a group of parents and educators to form the Magnolia/Queen Anne Public High School Task Force. In the summer of 2000 they began a vigorous campaign calling upon the Seattle School District to create a new high school to serve Magnolia and Queen Anne. The group of eight task force members worked that summer surveying families in both neighborhoods, holding community meetings, creating a website, and meeting with Superintendent Olchefske and school board members. The group learned that the school district owned property at Seattle Center, and that creating a high school on Center grounds had long been a goal for both the school district and Center management. |
In addition, the school district was eager to create a small high school in response to research showing that a more intimate learning environment correlates with higher student achievement and satisfaction with school. In December 2000, Superintendent Olchefske announced the creation of The Center School, with Judith Peterson as principal. Task force member Dr. Janet Bell was invited to be on the planning and design committee. Ms. Peterson, the committee, and staff worked quickly to ready the school for its first classes. Everyone from Magnolia and Queen Anne who wanted to attend The Center School was admitted. The school was such a popular choice there was a waiting list of students from other parts of the city for the freshman class. The task force was gratified by the overwhelming response of students and parents to the new school, and it is following the school's progress with great interest. Lindsay Brown, | |
National Honor SocietyStudents at The Center School will soon have the opportunity to join the National Honor Society (NHS), a national organization that recognizes outstanding students in the 10th through 12th grades. To qualify, students must have a cumulative 3.5 grade point average, be of impeccable character, and have noted contributions in the areas of leadership and service. Once the school receives approval as NHS students will be able to do community service by tutoring other students on Wednesdays (see article on Tutorial Sessions). | Tutorial SessionsAll our teachers are willing to meet with students before and after school to offer additional help. To further help students with their studies, we have implemented a Tutorial time on Wednesdays from 1:30 to 3:00 pm. While it will be staffed by a school employee, we are reaching out for volunteers who can assist students in math, science, reading, and writing. If you can devote some time on Wednesdays, please call. | Yearbook ClubA yearbook club has been established at The Center School and consists of a staff of eight students. Some have yearbook and photography experience, but we would also welcome parent help. If you are interested in volunteering to work with the yearbook staff, please contact me. We have set the yearbook price at $35. The yearbook club will be doing some fundraising to make this possible. One of the fundraisers allows students to personalize their yearbook. There will be information sent home soon indicating some possibilities students have for personalizing their yearbook, such as having their names engraved on the cover. Another option is for parents to purchase an "ad" in the yearbook to include a personalized message to their child. We will be including business ads in the yearbook as well. If you own or work for a business that would like to purchase ad space, again, please contact me. Kimberly Mullen, Science teacher and yearbook sponsor |
The Office Corner | |
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If your student belongs to a second household that should also receive mailings from The Center School, please notify me. A forum on highly capable students will be held at Mercer Middle School, 1600 S. Columbian Way, on Saturday, Nov. 17 from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. Please RSVP to Aleta Paraghamian at 252-0180, or e-mail aparaghamian@seattleschools.org. |
Please send me a payment of $9.00 for the "Proof" performance as soon as possible. You may send cash or a check payable to the "Seattle School District." I thank the five individuals who are helping me out in the office, but I would appreciate a few more helpers if you are available. Rebecca Anderson, |
Center School CalendarNov. 12 - No school (Veterans Day)
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Web Sitehttp://www.orgsites.com/ Take a look at our Website! It has been updated and improved, and now has a link from the Seattle Public School site's Center School page (www.seattleschools.org). An ad hoc committee consisting of student Chris Megrey and parent Theano Petersen is planning a school-hosted Web site. If you would like to join them or offer suggestions, please contact Theano at iansa@aol.com. | Student Art and Poetry WantedWe would like to publish more student art and poetry
in "The Messenger." Please encourage your
students to submit their drawings and poems to us! (Drawings
should
be in ink, poems should not be too long.) There is
an envelope for them on the
office bulletin board. 
Drawing
| Directory Information Still NeededThe Center School directory will facilitate communication, promote fellowship, and serve as an invaluable emergency resource. It will not be distributed outside the Center School community. Please e-mail your directory information directly to Kathleen Doherty Goldfarb, parent directory coordinator, at kdoherty@qwest.net. |
Staff E-Mail Addresses
Judith Peterson: japeterson@seattleschools.org
Rebecca Anderson: randerson@seattleschools.org
Elizabeth Aguilar: emaguilar@seattleschools.org
Christopher Drajem: crdrajem@seattleschools.org
Jon Greenberg: jtgreenberg@seattleschools.org
Kim Mullen: kjmullen@seattleschools.org
Joe Murphy: jmmurphy@seattleschools.org
Julie Reeder: jmreeder1@seattleschools.org
Carolyn Reynaud: careynaud@seattleschools.org
Denise Sobieralski: dmsobieralski@seattleschools.org
Bethany Spinler: baspinler@seattleschools.org
Brian Vance: brvance@seattleschools.org