Wednesday Packet December 4, 2013

Date: Wednesday – December 11, 2013

Important Messages from The Cottage School are attached. Please sign this form indicating their receipt and return to the school

with your student tomorrow. Thank You!!

Parent Signature________________________________________

http://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=pen+images+clip+art&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&docid=zw7_U8zSRtm7VM&tbnid=yrtFFxnIROrTjM:&ved=0CAUQjRw&url=http://www.hasslefreeclipart.com/clipart_school/pen.html&ei=VyEJUpq9OrOQyQHp3YCwAQ&bvm=bv.50500085,d.b2I&psig=AFQjCNEsHowcnuLSG209EftgxckyQ3FJLQ&ust=1376416433610097

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December 11, 2013

Wednesday Packet

Important Dates/Information

Shop for a Cause in Downtown Roswell – Thursday, December 12th 5:30-8:00 PM

at Brilliant Jewelers and The Chandlery – Also, Spirit Night at Ceviche Taqueria

HS Half Day Exams - December 17th-19th Dismiss at Noon each day (HS Only) MS Teacher Work Day - No School December 19th (MS Only)

All School Teacher Work Day – No School December 20th Winter Break – December 23rd-January 3rd

Administrative Office Open December 23rd, January 2nd and January 3rd

Second Semester Begins January 6th, 2014

NOTICE: Winter mornings are dark on campus. Please drive carefully and follow car pool procedures.

Backing up around distracted teenagers can be dangerous.

AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM for January begins immediately after the holidays.

PLEASE SEND YOUR ENROLLMENT NO LATER THAN WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 18TH The ASP forms are available at the following link: http://cottageschool.org/school/?page_id=177

http://cottageschool.org/school/?page_id=177

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The countdown is here! There’s one more week before the long winter break. Seems we just got back in the swing when we stop the presses again. These late Thanksgiving breaks create quite a crunch. I still cannot fathom how much has been accomplished since August and how well our students, new and veteran, have done this year. The art show at Renasant Bank, The Ribbon Cutting, the Drama win, many athletic team victories, the projects completed, the reports made, the tests taken and the pay raises earned….it all adds up to a very successful semester. We seem to be storing a significant amount of your teen’s belongings. In order to control the massive Lost and Found accumulation, we are revamping our process. Both MS and HS have a location where items are stored. On regularly scheduled levels meetings, the principals will go through each item to be claimed and taken home. If you are aware that an item is missing, contact the principal and they can let you look through the items. Putting your last name in the clothing items is a huge help! At the end of the semester all unclaimed items are donated to a local charity. The new calendar year begins our period of evaluation and planning for next year. As always, your input is very important to us. We appreciate the suggestions that we have received throughout the years that have enabled us to create a more efficient and engaging environment. We value the partnerships with you that result in goals achieved. We depend on your corporation and teamwork to assess a teen’s situation and celebrate a milestone or resolve a difficult issue. It is the unified approach between school and family that weaves the strong and resilient fabric that supports our teens as they navigate the new skills they are acquiring. Thank you! Every so often I notice trends in the lives of our teens and our alumni. These last few months I have been in contact with several of our alumni, as far as ten years from graduation, who are returning to school. Either they left school to start a family or to work or they are in the midst of a career change and the initial education is not adequate. Regardless of their situation, the pattern seems to be the same. They express anxiety about the entry into the educational realm. They doubt that they can be successful. Even with those doubts, they are filled with excitement at the possibility and the promise that this additional step can mean for them. They set their minds to organize the application process. For some, it is easy, but others are more challenged. It is usually the young mothers who have the most difficult time finding opportunities for the interviews and completing the application, etc. Then they begin their coursework. Their old training clicks in and they are off! The subsequent correspondence is filled with pride and relief as they realize that they really can handle this new responsibility. Their fears are allayed and they move up another level in confidence and pride. I am sure you can understand the immense and heartfelt joy their stories create for those of us who stood by them in the early years when they were just beginning to see themselves as worthy and capable! That’s why we do what we do!

Come support our sports teams and let your PAC leadership team know how you would like to volunteer for the remainder of the school year. We have lots of good plans for 2nd semester and love to have company while we accomplish them!

December 11, 2013

Jacque’s Note

Join TCS on December 12th and

SHOP FOR A CAUSE!

5:30pm to 8pm

Brilliant Jewelers and The Chandlery

Both Brilliant Jewelers and The Chandlery on Canton Street

in historic Roswell will be staying open late and

raising money for TCS.

And JUST ADDED—come have dinner at Ceviche on Canton St.

Proceeds from your dinner will also benefit the school.

Time to eat, drink and SHOP! See you there!

The TCS Advancement Angle

News you can use to help raise money for The Cottage School

It’s not to late for

End of Year Giving!

Donations to TCS before

January 1 will count on this

year’s tax return.

We appreciate any and all

gifts!

We’re looking for a

few good volunteers

to help for the

following special events

(experience not necessary but a

sense of humor is essential!)

Evening with the Arts

Speakers Committee

General special events support

Interested?

Contact: [email protected]

Holiday Message About Gift Giving at TCS

You cannot go anywhere in Atlanta today without being bombarded with ideas for gifts

for the people in your life. This is a season of blessings and celebration, but it can feel like a

marathon shopping trip to fulfill the expectations of holiday giving. Guess what…we do it

differently here at TCS. First, the greatest gift you could give us is already in place. You have

shared your teen with us, and we are thrilled!! There are no words to describe the joy we

experience with every victory, accomplishment and growth. Second, there are enough costs

associated with raising children these days. Adding another set of gifts to buy when the funds

could be used for something much more permanent and meaningful, seems a waste. Third, gift

giving, although universally assumed to be a positive thing, can have some very unexpected and

unintentional consequences. If there is an inequity in the system or a competition around who

gives what to whom, the morale of the setting is deeply affected. Those of you who have been

in schools or other settings where there was no structure to the gift giving process, have seen

some teachers fill their car with gifts and others carry out only their keys as they leave for

vacation. Whether we admit it or not, random gift giving is fraught with the potential for

anxiety, misperception and hurt feelings, on the part of both the givers and the recipients.

All of the staff members here share the role of providing the very best setting your teen

can enjoy. In order to acknowledge that fact and stay within the parameters of the holiday

season, a portion of your PAC dues (included in your tuition) goes to buy gift cards for every TCS

staff member. Your treasurer will distribute the gift cards before the holidays with a greeting

that comes from each of you. We thank you, in advance, for such a useful and timely gift!!

Since the funds for the gift come from your dues, there is nothing out of pocket (whew!) and

you can rest assured that every staff member will find joy in selecting their treats!

We have carefully crafted a tradition that protects our parents and our staff from

unnecessary expense, financially and emotionally. Enjoy this reprieve and save your energy and

your money for special times with your beloved family! We also encourage those of you who

have the school in your “gift” budget, to contribute that amount to the PAC for this specific

purpose. Your PAC treasurer will be glad to add your donation to the staff holiday fund.

Please be respectful of this practice. If you must offer something, send in some cookies

that you and your teen baked to share with all the teachers. OR have your teen send a heartfelt

note to a teacher. Believe me, those notes mean the world and are treasured for life! To us,

this holiday is a celebration of loving relationships and is enriched by the quality of the time we

spend together, not the quality of what we give or get.

Thank you for all that you do to enhance the TCS experience!

Exciting Opportunities for TCS And Some of Our Families

As part of my new area of responsibilities and stemming from my recent trip to China, I have been contacted by several placement services exploring the school’s interest in having Middle and High School students from China attend our school. I am very interested in the potential to increase our global exposure. There is a definite possibility of several families visiting our school for a week to 10 days in February. The purpose of this notice is to see if we have any families that might be interested in acting as a Host Family for the visit in February. More importantly, however, I would like to hear from any family that would be interested in learning more about what it would mean to be a Host Family for the 2014-2015 school year. We have the potential for both Middle and High School students. Host families for Middle School students should have a student enrolled in our Middle School and likewise Host families of a High School student should have an enrolled High School student. There is a room and board stipend of $800.00 per month to cover related expenses with hosting a student during the school year. If you would be interested in learning more about the role and responsibilities of a Host Family or, if you would be willing to host a student during the February visit (Parents will take a room in a nearby hotel), please contact me at The Cottage School either by email to [email protected] or by direct phone at 678-250-5100 or on my cell at 770-313-8456. Please carefully consider this as it would mean a great deal to The Cottage School to have students from other nations as part of our day program. I am also developing relationships with programs in India and Brazil and hope to be able to attract one or two students from those countries as well. For the time being, however, we are focusing on China. I look forward to hearing from you. Joe Digieso

mailto:[email protected]

Dear Cottage School Boosters and Parents, I would like to start by thanking you for the overwhelming level of support in staffing our Concession Stand over the first months of this year’s basketball campaign. All shifts were covered, allowing the Booster Club to retain this vital stream of revenue to support the Athletic Department. Looking ahead, there are still some unclaimed shifts for the second semester, in particular shifts associated with the year ending Middle School and Varsity Basketball Tournaments. Please look over your calendars and commit to the shift that fits best with your schedule. You may either claim the shift by responding to the Sign-Up Genius e-mail released in November, or by contacting me directly at [email protected] or 678-250-5120. Again, thank you for your time and dedication. Sincerely, Lyle Cutchin Assistant Athletic Director

mailto:[email protected]

Wed 1/8 Varsity Boys v. Center Academy 7:15 – 8:00

Wed 1/22 MS Boys v. Sophia 5:15 – 6:00

Thur 1/23 MS Girls 3:45 – 4:30

Thur 1/23 MS Girls 4:30 – 5:15

Wed 1/29 JV Boys v. Cumberland 3:45 – 4:30

Wed 1/29 JV Boys v. Cumberland 4:30 – 5:15

Wed 1/29 Varsity Boys v. Solid Rock 5:15 – 6:00 Parent Volunteer Door Collection

Wed 1/29 Varsity Boys v. Solid Rock 6:00 – 6:45

Fri 1/31 NEW! JV v. Wildwood Christian 4:00 – 5:00

Fri 1/31 Varsity Boys V. AAS 6:30 – 7:45

Fri 1/31 Varsity Boys v. AAS 7:45 – 8:30

Mon 2/3 MS APAC Playoff – To Be Announced 3:30 – 4:15



Tue 2/4 MS APAC Playoff – To Be Announced 4:30 – 5:15

Tue 2/4 MS APAC Playoff – To Be Announced 5:15 – 6:00

Mon 2/10 Varsity Playoff - To Be Announced 3:00 – 3:45 Parent Volunteer

Mon 2/10

Varsity Playoff - To Be Announced

3:45 – 4:40

Parent Volunteer Door Collection

Mon 2/10


3:45 – 4:30


Mon 2/10


4:30 – 5:15


Mon 2/10


5:15 – 6:00


Mon 2/10


6:00 – 6:45


Mon 2/10


6:45 – 7:30


Mon 2/10


7:30 – 8:30


Wed 2/12 Varsity Playoff - To Be Announced 3:00 – 3:45 Parent Volunteer

Wed 2/12


3:45 – 4:40


Wed 2/12


3:45 – 4:30


Wed 2/12


4:30 – 5:15


Wed 2/12


5:15 – 6:00


Wed 2/12


6:00 – 6:45


Wed 2/12


6:45 – 7:30


Wed 2/12


7:30 – 8:30


Fri 2/14 Varsity Playoff - To Be Announced 3:00 – 3:45 Parent Volunteer

Fri 2/14


3:45 – 4:40


Fri 2/14


3:45 – 4:30


Fri 2/14


4:30 – 5:15


Fri 2/14


5:15 – 6:00


THANK YOU!!!

Saturday, December 7th, eight students came to the

Mansell Road Walmart location to assist with a toy

and coat drive to benefit NFCC.

In 3 hours our students filled one and a half bins with

toys and coats and raised over $75 in cash!

Thank you to our volunteers:

Asa Branch, Courtney Connell, Yael Greene,

Ethan Menaker, Mary Anna Faulk,

Alex Farrar, Emory Shulse, Emilie Stroup

MS December Activities

DATE TIME Activity RAIN-

OUT

TCS$ Things to bring

Friday

12/13

Clubs

$156.40

Club Materials

Friday

12/13

Academics $165.60 Academic Materials

*Remember to bring an

independent reading book if you

complete your work early.

*Make sure you have all savings checks turned into Lauren before you leave for break!*

12/19 Middle School

Teacher Work Day-

NO SCHOOL

12/20 All School

Teacher Work Day-

NO SCHOOL

12/23-1/3 Winter Holiday-

NO SCHOOL

Enjoy the Holidays and See You January 6, 2014.

Middle School

Character Education

Brainstorming and

Evaluating Solutions

Take a look below at what we will be discussing with your student and take some

time to continue these discussions at home!

Objectives:

Brainstorm solutions to a problem.

Predict consequences of each solution.

Evaluate solutions based on their potential effects on self and others.

Compare solutions and select the optimal one.

Discussion questions for you and your student:

How can we generate a variety of solutions?

How can we decide which solutions to try?

Key Terms to discuss: Brainstorm, alternative solutions, acting on impulse, consequences, evaluating

solutions, criteria, optimal solution

High School December

Date Time December Rain out TCS $ Things to bring/US$

Friday

12/13 Academics

8:15

10:00

12:00

12:45

2:40

Levels

Academics

Lunch

Academics

Homeroom

$524.06

Academic material to

complete work and spare

reading materials, if you

will be in academics all day!

Off-Campus 10:00-

2:40

2:40

Soccer and

Softball

Tournament

Homeroom

Aurora

Cineplex

Movie and

popcorn

$507.15

Cleats and appropriate

sports apparel to change

into, AND

money for lunch

On-Campus 10:00

12:00

12:45

2:40

Wreath Making

Lunch

Holiday Ornaments

with Movie

Homeroom

$490.25

Saturday

12/14

7:59-

12:00

12:00-

3:30

Saturday School

For students who owe

hours

All textbooks, notebooks,

planner, lunch and a change of

clothes for P.M. work detail

Tuesday,

Wednesday,

Thursday 12/17-12/19

8:00

12:00

HS EXAMS Early dismissal for

Exam days!!!

Pencils, pens, calculator and

all other necessary items

needed for exams

Friday

12/20 No School-

Teacher Work Day

*Don’t forget 12:00 dismissal for exam days.

Make ride arrangements!

Enjoy the break: December 20th

to January 5th

! See you on January 6

th.

ATTENTION HS Parents and Students: In an effort to help our teenagers learn the concept of Sick/Personal Leave in the work place, we have a system that tracks their attendance hours as if they were on the job. Each student earns 8 hours (1 day) every 4 weeks and can use or accumulate up to 32 hours (4 days) per semester. If they are absent more than their allotted hours, they make them up. If they save the hours, they can cash them in for days off during exams- like we save days for vacation at work. Please check accumulated/negative attendance hours with your student, and verify with their homeroom teacher during weekly calls. Students who have saved hours are eligible to take early exams and buy-off their exam days for an extended break! Students who are eligible to buy off exam days will bring home an Exam Buy-off Form with their positive hours listed and they will need your signature to be able to take advantage of this privilege. If your student has negative hours, it is imperative that they make-up negative hours prior to Saturday School on December 14, 2013. If they fail to do so, they will have to attend Saturday School. Students who owe hours and who do not attend Saturday School will be suspended for the three days following December 14th per our school policy. This means that suspended students will miss all three days of exams and will receive a ‘0’ for those exams. For students who owe hours, they may come in early from 7 to 8 A.M. or stay after school from 3 to 4 P.M. We strongly encourage them to make up their hours daily, so they can avoid Saturday School all together!

Thank you,

Fall Semester 2013 H.S. Exam Schedule

Exam Schedule Wednesday 12/11 1:15 - 2:40 6th period exam Thursday 12/12 1:15 - 2:40 7th period exam

8:00 - 8:15 A.M. Homeroom

8:20 - 9:50 1st period exam Tuesday 12/17 9:55 - 10:10 Break

10:15 - 11:45 2nd period exam

11:50 - 12:00 P.M. Homeroom


8:20 - 9:50 3rd period exam Wednesday 12/18 9:55 - 10:10 Break

10:15 - 11:45 4th period exam

11:50 - 12:00 P.M. Homeroom


8:20 - 9:50 5th period exam Thursday 12/19 9:55 - 10:10 Break

10:15 - 11:45 Homeroom exam

11:50 - 12:00 P.M. Homeroom

Teacher Work Day Friday 12/20 8:00 - 3:00 NO SCHOOL

Have a great

Winter Break!

DECEMBER 23 to JANUARY 5

Second Semester Begins January 6

Post-Secondary Acceptances

and Scholarships

Congratulations!

Rebecca Custer on her acceptance to Agnes Scott College, Mary Baldwin College,

and Brenau University

Ryan Delaney on his acceptance to Young Harris College

James Dorsey on his acceptance to the University of Louisville

Michael Kurland on his acceptance to The Art Institute of Atlanta

Arthur Leach on his acceptance to Beacon College and

The Art Institute of Atlanta

Ray O’Brien on his acceptance to The Art Institute of Pittsburgh

Matthew Smith on his acceptance to South Florida State College

Patrick Thompson on his acceptance to Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College

Senior Scholarships 2013-2014

Rebecca Custer – Agnes Scott College- Honor Scholarship $68,000

Mary Baldwin College- Scholarship Award $66,000

Brenau University - Trustee Scholarship Award $50,000

Ryan Delaney – Young Harris College - Faculty Scholarship $48,000

Wednesday Packet December 4, 2013

Documents

Transcript of Wednesday Packet December 4, 2013