December 7, 2011 Wednesay Packet
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Date: Wednesday – December 7, 2011
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________________________________________
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December 7, 2011
Wednesday Packet
Important Dates/Information
High School Fall Play – Monday, December 12th, 7:00 PM High School ½ Day Exams – December 19th-21st – Noon Dismissal/HS Only M.S. Teacher Work Day – Wednesday, December 21st – No School/MS Only
Teacher Work Day – Thursday, December 22nd – No School MS & HS Winter Break – December 23rd-January 6th
Office Staff Return – Wednesday, January 4th First Day of Second Semester – Monday, January 9th
DUE NO LATER THAN TUESDAY, DECEMBER 20TH
LUNCH MENU SELECTIONS FOR JANUARY FOR THOSE WHO PARTICIPATE.
AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM
The January session begins the day we return for second semester…Monday, January 9th.
The Lunch Menu and ASP forms are available at the following link:
http://cottageschool.org/school/?page_id=177
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Another Winner!! Middle School 7th grader, Emma Young, won first place in the Lion’s Club Peace Poster Contest!!!! I love that 1) civic groups include local students in their efforts, 2) TCS students have opportunities to creatively express positive goals, and 3) our kids keep winning!!! We began our eighth grade transition meetings this week and appreciate those families who took advantage of this opportunity to get some answers and a sneak preview of what is to come. There is a tendency for MS parents (and a few kids) to experience significant anxiety about the move into the world of the high school student, their social settings, enhanced academics and crazy mood swings! We have been doing this for a long time now and we have it down!! In a manner consistent with our philosophy, we want you to have the information you need in a timely fashion so you can prepare and enjoy this journey! It may be a surprise to know that these transition events also have a positive impact on the high school students and staff. It is easy to sail along focusing on where you are now and forget how far you have come. Part of gaining confidence is to acknowledge the progress made, the good decisions that have led you to your current status and the victories along the way! When situations take a difficult turn, having the awareness of how you handled past stressful periods provides the courage and knowledge that you can get through the next tough patch. When our seniors take time to reach out to rising ninth graders, they can pull up that time in their life when they faced a terrifying transition and gain confidence that their transition out of high school and into the next step of their lives will be doable. Speaking of transitions, the high school is facing an unexpected staff change. High school science teacher, Meredith Webb, announced that she has accepted a position with the CDC. Her last day is this Friday. Knowing what an important role Meredith has played in the lives and academic growth of our students, the leadership team here at TCS went into immediate search mode to find a replacement with the depth of knowledge and enthusiasm that Meredith displays. We were very fortunate to find, and hire, another Meredith (Hegerty!) who has extensive science experience, lots of energy and a true love for teaching and engaging her students. Although we have addressed, as a team, the areas that will be most impacted by this unexpected disruption, we know that many of our students will be saddened by her absence. We encourage you to use this event as an opportunity to share with your teen the reality of unexpected changes and the need to maintain their focus on their own goals and progress. A healthy community does not revolve around any one individual and the strength of the team provides a fabric that can absorb such unpredictable turn of events. We thank Meredith Webb for her contributions to the overall TCS experience and wish her well in her new venture.
December 7, 2011
Jacque’s Note
December 6, 2011
Dear TCS Parents and Families,
It is with a heavy heart that I must inform you that I have decided to leave my position at The
Cottage School, effective Friday, December 9.
During my five and a half years at The Cottage School, I have cultivated a long-term interest in
pursuing a career in the field of public health. I started working towards a graduate degree this
spring, and recently, was presented with an incredible opportunity to transition into a position
as a Policy Analyst at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. I have since accepted this
position in order to further my career aspirations in health leadership.
I realize the timing of this decision is less than desirable and the transition will be difficult for
many students. Thankfully, they are in a safe environment where their thoughts and concerns
will be heard and accepted. Although change is not their favorite circumstance, your children
are equipped with the tools to learn to appropriately handle transitions and are surrounded by
supportive professionals who will guide them through this process. I trust my fellow teachers
and administrators to help ease this transition—they have already hired an excellent teacher
who is ready and willing to greet your children with the enthusiasm and dedication inherent
among TCS staff.
Working with your children has been an incredible experience for me both personally and
professionally. They have taught me humility and perseverance, they have challenged me to
think beyond traditional expectations, and they have shaped a significant part of my life. It is
because of them that I wish to continue on to a career in public service. I will miss them dearly,
but it is important that they must meet this challenge head on, looking toward the future and
focusing on their own goals of becoming capable, responsible, and independent individuals. I
believe in them, their teachers believe in them, and as long as they believe in themselves, they
can accomplish anything.
Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for the privilege of teaching and learning from your
children.
All My Cougar Pride,
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 (the art teacher or coach) fill their car with gifts and others (the math teacher or the
principal in charge of discipline) carry only their keys as they leave for vacation. We have also
witnessed the anxiety that results from comparing a well thought out and sacrificial gift, such as
a pen set, sitting next to the silver picture frame or other expensive item. 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 a book store for
every TCS staff member. Your treasurer, Mekel Wakshlag, 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
reading pleasure!
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, Mekel Wakshlag, will be glad to add your donation to the fund.
Please be respectful of this practice. If you must offer something, send in some cookies that
you and your teen baked 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!
The PAC kicked off this
year’s fundraising efforts
with a Family Movie Night
last month. A very special
thank you to Viv Kurland
and Robin Travis for mak-
ing this family event such a
success. Also, thank you to
all the parents who volun-
teered and donated items
to help with this event too.
We had 55 students and
family members attend and
raised our first $100.00 for
the year.
The Assistive Technology
Fund was selected this
year because so many of
our students use it, need it,
and benefit from it. The
teachers were surveyed
and they have submitted
their wish lists. Let’s help
them help our students!
The PAC is committed to
making fundraising easy
for TCS families. We know
how overwhelming fund-
raising can be, so the PAC
has chosen ways to give
indirectly to TCS as ways
of raising funds to support
the Assistive Technology
Fund. This means by par-
ticipating in the selected
programs, you give to TCS
with money you already
spend each month, nothing
extra to try to sell or buy.
All you have to do is
participate in one or more
of these programs and you
help the students and staff
at TCS. For more infor-
mation on indirect giving
you can check out TCS’s
home page to find more
information on any of the
programs listed.
Thanks for your support!
Our Progress
Look for the collection boxes near
you! Turn in your box tops in the
middle school or high school office.
Top Box top earner to be
announced on Friday,
December 16th.
First Box Top Collection Competition!
The PAC will start a little
friendly competition this
month with its first collec-
tion on December 15th.
There will be two prizes
awarded. The first will be
a $25.00 iTunes gift card
for the student that turns
in the most box tops. The
second prize will be a draw-
ing from everybody that
turns in any amount of box
tops. The second place
prize will be a $10.00
iTunes gift card. Faculty
and Staff are invited to get
into the action too! The
box top prize winners will
be announced the next day,
Friday, December 16th.
Be on the look out for your
box top Ziploc bag that was
sent home today. Use it to
collect the box tops and to
turn them in on Thursday,
December 15th. Make sure
you write your name on the
Ziploc bag! Good Luck and
go Collect those Box Tops!
Box Tops for educa-
tion. BTFE.com
Amazon.com
Georgia Natural Gas
Service
Publix shopping card
Box Tops for educa-
tion’s Market Place
Box Tops for educa-
tion’s Reading room
Target Card
Ways you can give to TCS
indirectly with the money you
already spend each month:
The PAC is raising money for the Assistive
Technology Fund.
PAC News
December 7, 2011
Don’t Miss it!HoMecoMing 2012
When: Saturday, January 14, 2012
What: Homecoming / MS, JV & Varsity Basketball Alumni vs. Staff Ultimate Court Challenge #7
Where: The Cougar Center
Time: 1:30 pm Doors Open 2:00 p.m. MS Junior Cougars vs. Swift School 3:00 p.m. JV Basketball vs Fideles Christian 4:00 p.m. Lady Cougars vs. Fideles Christian 5:30 p.m. Varsity Men vs Fidelis Christian
The Game: 7:00-ish p.m. Alumni Young Guns vs. Staff (Ultimate Court Challenge—#7)
Tickets: Adults: $3.00; Non-TCS Students: $2.00** **TCS Students/Alumni/Staff free.
PLEASE NOTE: Senior Night 2012 will be held Friday, February 3, 2012, during the final home basketball games of the 2011-2012 Season. All Seniors and their Parents will be introduced between the Lady Cougars’ and Varsity Men’s games. Watch for details!
ENDS THIS FRIDAY, 12/9…
TCS Student Council &
Interact Club Present
It’s the Coat and Toy
Event of the Season
TCS is teaming up with One Warm Coat and Toys for Tots to
collect clean and gently used coats along with new and
unwrapped toys for the less fortunate this winter season.
Bring coats and toys to your homeroom teacher from
November 14 to December 9. The Middle School and High
School homerooms with the most total donations will win a
free breakfast courtesy of Student Council.
and
Now even more ways to get My Coke Rewards points for our school
stack uprewards
Check out NESTEA® in seven simple and refreshing flavors.20 oz. and 1L bottles – 3 Points
Great news – there are two additional brands now participating
in My Coke Rewards – NESTEA® and Seagram’s® Ginger Ale. That
means your family has even more ways to get codes and donate
points to our school.
It’s easier than ever to get anddonate points, here’s how:
1 Purchase participating Coca-Cola beverages to get My Coke Rewards codes
2 Go to mycokerewards.com/schools (register if you are not already a member)
3 Enter your codes to get points – find our school then enter the points you would like to donate
Try Seagram’s Ginger Ale acrisp, clean, non-caffeinated wayto unwind in regular and diet flavors.20 oz. and 2L bottles – 3 Points12-pack 12 oz. cans – 10 Points
My Coke Rewards is open to legal residents of the 50 U.S. states (and D.C.) age 13 and over. Visit www.mycokerewards.com for details and full list of participating products. ©2011 The Coca-Cola Company. All rights reserved.
for more information and turn My Coke Rewards points into rewards for our school.
mycokerewards.com/schools
Check out
MS December Activities
DATE TIME Activity RAIN-
OUT
TCS$ Things to bring
Friday
12/9
Escalade Rock Climbing
Holiday Art
Academics
$160.08
$156.40
$165.60
All students going off campus must
bring a sack lunch unless
pre-ordered through lunch program.
There will not be microwaves.
Friday
12/16
Clubs
Academics
$156.40
$165.60
Wednesday
12/21
MS Teacher Work Day
Middle School will not have school. The
high school will still be having exams.
If you carpool with a high school
student, please be sure
other arrangements are made.
Thursday 12/22
All School
Teacher Work Day
NO SCHOOL
12/23
THROUGH
1/6/2012
WINTER BREAK
NO SCHOOL
Monday 1/9/2012
FIRST DAY
2ND SEMESTER
Be sure to get the needed ASP and Lunch Menus
turned in for the start of 2nd semester.
Forms available at the following link: http://cottageschool.org/school/?page_id=177
ENJOY YOUR WINTER BREAK!!
December 20th,
2011
1:40 pm
In the RCC Parents welcome!
Middle School Drama
presents:
“Finders Keepers?”
and
“Go Constitution!”
Emory Shulse
UNDER THE BIG TOP
PICCADILLY CIRCUS (from the producers of Ice Capades)
STONE MOUNTAIN PARK
DATES REMAINING: DECEMBER 9-11 Friday performances: 4:30 & 7:30 PM
Saturday performances: 1:30, 4:30 & 7:30 PM
Sunday performances: 1:00, 3:30 & 6:00 PM
FREE STUDENT TICKETS (AGES 13 AND UNDER) AVAILABLE AT THE MIDDLE SCHOOL
Contact Donna at the MS front desk or
email at donnab@cottageschool.org
Note: Adults must purchase their own tickets.
Circus Information available at
www.TheFunCircus.com or call 877-373-0477
High School December
Date Time December Rain out TCS $ Things to bring/US$
Friday 12/9 1:10-2:40 Clubs Materials for your club
Friday
12/16
Academics
8:15
10:00
12:00
12:45
2:40
Levels
Academics
Lunch
Academics
Homeroom
$336.89
Aquarium
$299.46
Academic material to
complete work and spare
reading materials, if you
will be in academics all day!
Off-Campus 10:00-
2:00
2:40
Tellus Museum
Homeroom
$326.03
Aquarium
$289.80
Sack lunches or real $ for
lunch
On-Campus 10:00
12:00
12:45
2:40
Holiday Ornaments
Lunch
Wreath Making
Homeroom
$315.16
Aquarium
$280.14
Saturday
12/17
Saturday School For students who owe hours
All textbooks, notebooks,
planner, lunch and a change of
clothes for P.M. work detail
Monday,
Tuesday,
Wednesday 12/19-12/21
8:00
12:00
HS EXAMS Early dismissal for
Exam days!!!
Pencils, pens, calculator and
all other necessary items
need for exams
Thursday
12/22 No school
Teacher Work Day
Be sure to get the needed ASP and Lunch Menus
turned in for the start of 2nd semester.
Forms are available at the following link:
http://cottageschool.org/school/?page_id=177
*Don’t forget 12:00 dismissal for exam days.
Make ride arrangements!
Enjoy the break: December 22nd
to January 6th
See you on January 9
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 17, 2011. 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 17th 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 2011 H.S. Exam Schedule
Exam Schedule Wednesday 12/14 1:15 - 2:40 6th period exam Thursday 12/15 1:15 - 2:40 7th period exam
8:00 - 8:15 A.M. Homeroom
8:20 - 9:50 1st period exam Monday 12/19 9:55 - 10:10 Break
10:15 - 11:45 2nd period exam
11:50 - 12:00 P.M. Homeroom
8:00 - 8:15 A.M. Homeroom
8:20 - 9:50 3rd period exam Tuesday 12/20 9:55 - 10:10 Break
10:15 - 11:45 4th period exam
11:50 - 12:00 P.M. Homeroom
8:00 - 8:15 A.M. Homeroom
8:20 - 9:50 5th period exam Wednesday 12/21 9:55 - 10:10 Break
10:15 - 11:45 Homeroom exam
11:50 - 12:00 P.M. Homeroom
Teacher Work Day Thursday 12/22 8:00 - 3:00 NO SCHOOL
Have a great Winter Break!
DECEMBER 23 to JANUARY 6
Second Semester Begins January 9
The High School Drama Class presents:
The “WTCS” Radio Hour! Featuring:
Orson Welles’s adaptation of Bram Stoker’s
DRACULA
&
The “Thanksgiving Special”episode of
Date: Monday, December 12th
Time: 7:00 P.M.
Location: The Cougar Center
Bonus:
High School audience members will be awarded
three attendance hours for attending this event!
(That’s an extra exam buyoff!)
Attention All Seniors!
Please make sure that you bring your post-secondary acceptance letters to school so that we can confirm your acceptances!
Congratulations to the following seniors on their post-secondary
acceptances!
Jason Benator – Florida Institute of Technology, Kennesaw State University, Oglethorpe University, Embry-Riddle Griffin Boven – Andrew College, Beacon College Brendan Jagielski – Reinhardt University Jonathan Oakes – Drexel University, Roanoke College, Mercer University, Colorado School of Mines John Peaden - Johnson & Wales University Kristina Tull - Young Harris College
The remaining seniors’ applications are still in process. Stay tuned!!
Senior Scholarship Awards 2011
Please congratulate our seniors on their scholarship awards so far…we are
so proud! Jason Benator – Florida Institute of Technology - $10,000 Jonathan Oakes – Mercer University - $17,000 per year Drexel University - $13,000 per year Roanoke College - $15,500 per year Kristina Tull - Young Harris College - $12,000 per year
If your senior has a post-secondary acceptance letter or has been awarded
scholarship money please contact Lori Dasher at 678-250-5113 or
lorid@cottageschool.org so we can share their accomplishments!
Senior Holiday
Party
Thursday, December 15, 2011
7 o’clock ‘till 9 o’clock
Share the holiday spirit…
Bring a “Toys for Tots” gift, unwrapped
&
Bring a gift for “senior swap” (girls bring a girl’s gift, boys a boy’s gift, $10)
Dinner provided
Hosted by: The Benators, Hetal, James, Katja & Ryan
138 Johnson Ferry, NW
Atlanta, GA 30328
RSVP to your Homeroom Teacher
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