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Principal:
Judith Peterson
Webmaster Emeritus:
Robert Moore
Administrator:
Brian Vance
SEATTLE PUBLIC SCHOOLS SMALL SCHOOLS PROJECT THE SEATTLE CENTER
October 2001 Newsletter
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The As-Yet Unnamed Newsletter from The Center School
Contents | Volume 1, Number 1  Drawing by Nicole MilesJudith Peterson, PrincipalTeru Lundsten, Newsletter Editor Theano Petersen, Production Schoolwide Expectation #1Students who create a problem will be expected to help solve the problem in a manner that does not create a problem for anyone else. |
Principal's MessageThe Center School and Seattle Center welcomed 150 enthusiastic students with a Welcome Rally that included inspirational remarks from Mayor Schell, Superintendent Olchefske, Center employees, and Sonics star Desmond Morris. Since the opening of school, students and teachers have been busy doing schoolwork reflective of our student mission to "...provide a challenging learning environment ...that engages students with interests in the arts and academics." As you know, the school is temporarily located at Sacred Heart Church, and while the space is limited, I am impressed with the degree to which students and staff have adjusted with such good will. The construction project at Center House is now underway and we expect to move to our new, permanent location next summer. We were delighted to see so many parents attend our Open House in September, which is indicative of the high interest level that exists among our parents. Building a strong relationship between school and home is a critical component for student success. As we approach the end of the first quarter, it is important that parents monitor their student's progress. All teachers have given students a grade printout to take home that indicates assignments and test grades to date, so if you have not seen this report, ask your student about it. The academic program at this school is rigorous and challenging, which it should be if we are to help students meet district standards, so your involvement in your student's progress is very important. One of the many facets of our program includes the development of collaborative relationships with organizations in and around Seattle Center. So far our students have participated in the memorial activities at the fountain related to the September 11 tragedy. Dance students have visited PNB to learn more about the world of ballet, and we are working with the Seattle Rep on a project involving the current Tony award-winning play, "Proof." Finally, Multi During the year, the teachers, in collaboration with our many partners, will continue to expand and enrich the program that will generate even more partnerships. It has been an exciting opening for all - the staff and I look forward to continuing our work to build an excellent program for your students.
Judith Peterson, Principal
Ms. Spinler came the farthest of any teacher to teach at The Center School. She grew up on a dairy farm in Randolph, New York, and earned both her B.S. in Neurobiology and her M.A. in Science Education from Cornell University in Ithaca, New York. Her last teaching position was at Jamestown High School in Jamestown, New York.
"I came to Seattle seeking an educational opportunity which would allow me to design science curriculum, collaborate with visionary staff, and assist motivated students with accomplishing their learning goals," says Ms. Spinler. "The Center School is the place for me to start this journey.
"It has been an exhilarating experience opening a new school in an unfamiliar city and school district," she continues. "I have learned a lot from my colleagues and students, including directions around Seattle's streets, the best places to dine, "As our courses continue to develop, students will be submerged in very rich learning activities that will both challenge and excite them. The dedication of my fellow teachers to improving student achievement, continuing professional development, and encouraging academic excellence has been inspiring.
"Even though our learning space is limited and classrooms serve several purposes, there is a sense of ownership that students and teachers alike feel for the school at this temporary site. The move next year will provide yet another transition for our school, but I anticipate that our staff and student body will continue to grow and learn from each other and that our sense of school community will begin to enhance the community outside the confines of the school walls wherever The Center School may be located."
While not teaching, Ms. Spinler enjoys gardening, cooking, camping, biking, and listening to classical music. She is a member of the Cornell Alumni Association.
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Volunteers Needed!There are two immediate, specific needs.
Administrative secretary Rebecca Anderson is swamped in the mornings! If you can help, one or five mornings a week, or anything in between, please call her at 956-3235.
The students would really like after-school activities to begin soon. Parents are needed to lead clubs in case teachers are not always available to do so. Clubs that the students have expressed an interest in so far are: Art and photography, chess, dance, diversity, drama, music, news A jazz group has been formed which gets together every Wednesday afternoon. It's a wonderful beginning, but we need to offer more activities after school. If you can help us with these pressing needs, please step forward! If you have another area of expertise you can share, or if you are willing to do anything, let us know - we'd appreciate it. |
Students of the MonthSeptemberEach month, four students are chosen by the teachers, and recognized by the entire student body, for their top academic performance or improvement, and for their cooperative and positive attitudes. Our very first students of the month are Danéa Buckingham and Peter Stone from the green team, and Ginny Peterson and Jason Powell from the blue team. Congratulations to you all! |
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Center School Government | |
Student Advisory SenateThe student government, called the Advisory Senate, is made up of 10 members, plus alternates. Each member represents his or her advisory group. The Senators are Danéa Buckingham (from Mr. Greenberg's advisory), Emma Epstein and Patrick Cayayab/alternate (Peterson), Oscar Gubelman (Vance), Matt Hepburn and Kira Walmsley/alternate (Aguilar), Hannah Peregine (Reeder), Kia Sanger (Drajem), Brett Stevenson and Elizabeth Brose/alternate (Murphy), Anna Talvi and Chloe Ameh/alternate (Spinler), Richie White and Vivia Lundsten/alternate (Sobieralski), and Adam Zawitkowski and Carl Anderson/alternate (Mullen). They meet every Tuesday at lunch. They have just chosen a school mascot, the Dragon, as well as red and silver for the school colors. They have set up a process for formal recognition of clubs and interest groups, and they are also crafting a constitution. Look for student-written updates in future newsletters. By the next issue, we should have a logo and a name. | Community AssociationThe Center School Community Association (CSCA) is also composed of 10 members: Principal Judith Peterson; teachers Jon Greenberg, Julie Reeder, and Denise Sobieralski; Seattle Center Arts & Education Programming Specialist Laurel Minter; parents Blair Butterworth, Kathleen Doherty Goldfarb, and Teru Lundsten; and students David Krom (10th grade) and Logan Pecore (9th grade). While the organization will join the PTA, it will also serve as the school's site council and represent the school in fundraising and development activities. Among its first orders of business will be to establish by-laws, operating norms, and visitor policies (anyone is welcome to attend CSCA meetings). The first CSCA meeting was held October 11; the next is scheduled for Monday, November 5 at 5:00 p.m. (this and all future meetings will be held the first Monday of each month). Look for minutes in upcoming issues of this newsletter.
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We Need a Jump $tart!By now, you should have received a letter asking for donations to both the CSCA (any amount) and the student body association (Advisory Senate) ($20). For The Center School to succeed, both groups need your help - they currently have no funds. We thank you in advance! | |
Dance Class Steps Out | |
On October 11, students in 5th and 6th period Dance classes who had at least a B in all their core classes attended a performance off-campus. The Center School was offered free tickets (valued at $32 a seat) to preview a performance by the Urban Bush Women, presented by the University of Washington's World Dance Series. The students and teachers took Metro buses to the Meany Performance hall at UW. Dance students Oscar Gubelman, Chris Megrey, Caitlin Meeks, Ginny Peterson, Caitlin Bauermeister, Anna Talvi, Brian Essick, Lisa Bachwitz, Haley Gronbeck, Andrew Herrick, and Caleb Gubelnick, with teachers Wyn Pottinger-Levy and Denise Sobieralski, visited the UW for the Urban Bush Women performance. As a last-minute substitute for the Guangdong Modern Dance Company from China, Urban Bush Women were nonetheless eager to share their choreography, canons, chants, drumbeats...and even a little James Brown. | In spite of the serious nature of some themes (homelessness in "Shelters," mother-daughter dynamics in "Hair"), the New York troupe evoked an upbeat mood. They obviously enjoyed performing for the youthful crowd. During a post-performance Q&A session, when queried as to how long they'd been dancing, some replied that they "didn't begin dancing until high school...it's never too late to start!" (Music to this dance teacher's ears!) I hope similar field trips will be available each quarter to students who keep up with their schoolwork. Please encourage the best effort from your students - we'd love to include them in activities such as this one. Wyn Pottinger-Levy, Dance Teacher |
The Office Corner | ||
AbsencesPlease contact me ASAP regarding any student absences, whether due to illness, vacation, or religious holidays, or any other attendance issues. Math Homework HotlineThe Center School now has a Math Homework Hotline open 6:00-8:00 p.m. on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. The number is 252-4690. | Students' VisitorsBecause classroom space is limited at Sacred Heart, and our instructional activities are intensely focused, we are unable to accommodate students' outside friends in classes. Please help us out and do not encourage your student to bring his or her friends to school, regardless of the circumstances. If they do, we will politely ask their friends to leave. | DirectoryPlease send your directory information in, if you haven't already done so. So far, only 42 entries have been submitted. You may send it to my attention at the school, or e-mail it directly to Kathleen Doherty Goldfarb at kdoherty@qwest.net. VolunteersI personally appeal to any parents who can help me in the office or with after-school activities. Thank you! Rebecca Anderson, Administrative Assistant |
P.E. CreditsEven though The Center School does not have a traditional physical education program, students must obtain 1.5 credits of P.E. before graduation. We will grant credit for organized and supervised activities such as community team sports, other school team sports, workouts at health clubs, dance classes, equestrian classes, kayaking, martial arts, and so on. Students must complete an Alternative Learning Experience Contract, available from Mr. Vance, in order to quality for credit. |
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Center School CalendarOctober 11 - First CSCA meeting
Following are e-mail addresses for most of the staff:
Judith Peterson: japeterson@seattleschools.org
Please note that Julie Reeder's e-mail address was incorrect in the printed version of the newsletter. The correct address has a numeral "1" at the end of her name. We apologize for the error.
Last winter, a website for The Center School was created by Janet Bell and Lindsay Brown of the Magnolia/ Queen Anne High School Task Force, a group that was instrumental in making The Center School a reality. The website address is www.orgsites.com/wa/ Now, 9th grader Chris Megrey is going to create a website which will be maintained right at the school. We'll keep you posted.
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