December 7, 2011 Wednesay Packet

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________________________________________

1

h

-

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

2

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 [email protected]

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

[email protected] 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