Peek at the Week February 18-25, 2010
February 18, 2010February 18-25, 2010
February
| 19 | Re-enrollment contracts due in Toad Hall today |
| 19 | Viewfinder Global Film Series, 6:30pm in Humanities Bldg. |
March
| 9 | Martinique trip leaves |
| 10 | Costa Rica trip leaves |
| 10 | Middle School Service |
| 13 | Gambol Night at the Nines Hotel |
| 16-19 | Middle School Breakaway |
| 22-26 | Spring Break, no school |
| 22 | Costa Rica trip returns |
| 23 | Martinique trip returns |
| 29 | Classes resume |
Notes from Middle School Head, Paul Andrichuk
Students will not know what Breakaway they are in until Friday, February 26, and this is a time when we need to work together to support the kids. Finding out which Breakaway students are in creates conflicting emotions. Students might be excited about their experience, but disappointed that close friends are doing something different. In addition, while we try to give students one of their top choices, it is not always possible. Focusing students on the value and excitement of all of these offerings has to be the central point of our conversations with them.
On Wednesday, March 3rd students will meet with their Breakaway groups during advisory. This is a time when itineraries, packing lists, and waivers are distributed. In some cases, these will need to be signed and returned to trip leaders.
The final Breakaway meeting will be the morning of Friday, March 12th.
Breakaway begins Tuesday, March 16th, and students will have been told where to meet when they arrive at school.
In Other News.....
Please join us on tonight at 7 pm in the MS Commons for the 4th of a 5 part series on student health and wellness.
J. Carlos Valdes will be talking about fitness among youth.
J. Carlos Valdes is one the top fitness trainers and exercise instructors of the Pacific NW with over 16 years of experience. As a graduate of Purdue University, J.C. holds a Bachelors of Science Degree in Exercise and Sports Physiology and an Associate of Arts Degree in Physical Therapy. He is also a Fitness Specialist certified through the YMCA of the USA. J. C. uses his vast experience in the fitness industry to teach many Group Exercise Classes as well as train beginning to performance athletes. His training principles incorporate a powerful use of the entire human body (mind, body and spirit) to safely reach the horizon of an optimal daily living and fitness level. J. C. strives to bring the worlds of physical therapy rehab and personal training to a level of camaraderie in order to better serve his clients.
Finally....
As many of you know there is a parent book group in the Middle School. One of the books, Linda Perlstein’s Not Much: Just Chillin, chronicles the “secret lives” of middle schoolers.
Before you think “secret” means worst case or scary, I’d like to present a different perspective. There are times when your child’s “secret life” is a better indicator of their true self, it just cannot safely be revealed by them. It is your kinder, more vulnerable, and more genuine son or daughter. While I acknowledge we know this intellectually, it is an important reminder of where they need our support and how we might better communicate. Here are other examples, according to Perlstein:
- “It may not look like it, but a middle schooler wants to be told no.
- She wants rules—which sometimes get her out if situations she isn’t comfortable being in anyway.
- She still wants to be tucked in bed, she wants to let her guard down and be comforted during storms.
- She wants to be taken care of.
- She wants your company. She wants you home, as long as you don’t bug her.
- She wants your rituals, even if she says she hates them.
- She wants you to pick up her hints that she cares.
- She wants you to listen to her, sympathize with her, say how awful something is that she thinks is awful, not spaz out over it or try to solve it or anything, just say ‘Oh, you poor thing’ and mean it.”
- She wants you to be there forever.’
Re-enrollment contracts due tomorrow, February 19
Re-enrollment contracts for the 2010-11 school year were mailed on January 27. Signed contracts must be postmarked or hand delivered to Toad Hall by February 19. This deadline is firm. We cannot guarantee a spot for your child(ren) if we do not receive the contract by February 19.
If your child is not returning, please return the enrollment decline form by February 19.
Please call Traci Jernigan Rossi ’83 in the admission office if you have questions about re-enrollment, 503-297-1894 ext. 346. Questions concerning payment options should be directed to Mary Ann Rogers in the business office at 503-203-5114.
Viewfinder Global Film Series
Friday, February 19, 6:30 p.m
Diversity and Multiculturalism in Independent Schools
Long Way from Home (82 min)
Three very capable girls enter 9th grade at top schools. There they confront worlds very different from the ones they come from.
Host: Diversity Steering Committee members Paul Andrichuk, Allen Schauffler, David Ellenberg, Zalika Gardner, Brett Mathes, Ann Fyfield, Veronica Ledoux
Rights from the Heart (I & II) (80 mins)
Based on the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of a Child, these short, nonverbal films engage even the youngest audience members in conversations about equity and diversity. Funded by the National Film Board of Canada, these films address topics from the right to self-expression, homelessness, and racism with innovative and beautiful animation techniques. Suitable for children age 5 and older.
Hosts: Nance Leonhardt & Spencer White
Garden Design Contest
The Garden Club is going to expand the existing garden behind the middle school, and we would like your design help. This is a contest soliciting your garden design ideas by February 22.
We want to add twelve more beds onto the existing five beds so that students, teachers, and parents can grow more vegetables for the Barn lunches. Hen in the Barn has requested the following: sunflower and lilies, basil, carrots, lettuce, cucumber, and tomatoes. Of course, beets, peas, and beans are welcome too! We also envision fruit trees or bushes, benches, garden art, and beautiful paths of some sort, lined with cedar chips.
Click on the following link to go to the “Blank Garden Image” PDF to download and print the file:
http://www.catlin.edu/system/files/page/Blank%20Garden%20Image.pdf
Once you print the file, please follow the directions on the sheet by drawing in twelve beds, fruit trees or bushes, benches, and garden art.
Once finished with your drawing, please return it to Catlin Gabel School, addressed to Carter Latendresse, so that he receives it by February 22.
You will be notified if your design is chosen so that the Garden Club might honor you with a $50 gift certificate to The Farm Café.
We want to add twelve more beds onto the existing five beds so that students, teachers, and parents can grow more vegetables for the Barn lunches. Hen in the Barn has requested the following: sunflower and lilies, basil, carrots, lettuce, cucumber, and tomatoes. Of course, beets, peas, and beans are welcome too! We also envision fruit trees or bushes, benches, garden art, and beautiful paths of some sort, lined with cedar chips.
Click on the following link to go to the “Blank Garden Image” PDF to download and print the file:
http://www.catlin.edu/system/files/page/Blank%20Garden%20Image.pdf
Once you print the file, please follow the directions on the sheet by drawing in twelve beds, fruit trees or bushes, benches, and garden art.
Once finished with your drawing, please return it to Catlin Gabel School, addressed to Carter Latendresse, so that he receives it by February 22.
You will be notified if your design is chosen so that the Garden Club might honor you with a $50 gift certificate to The Farm Café.
Take Kindle for a spin
Overnight checkout available through IT department.
The Information Technology department now has an Amazon Kindle available to families for overnight checkout to evaluate whether or not they might wish to purchase one. The IT office is located in the upper level of the Vollum Humanities Building. Please email IT@catlin.edu if you wish to reserve the Kindle.
At this time, we do not anticipate formal school adoption of the Kindle or other electronic book reader, but we would like to support families that are interested in them.
Learn more about Kindle features at www.catlin.edu/news/take-kindle-for-a-spin-courtesy-of-it-department
Spring & Summer Outdoor Program Trips Announced!
The Catlin Gabel Outdoor program offers trips designed to provide students with wonderful adventures and challenges during the school year and their summers away from campus. This year trips include a bike trip along the Deschutes River, a climbing trip at Horsethief Butte, an 8th grade climb of Mt. St. Helens, & a rafting & backpacking trip .Though these trips may attract some students with a natural bent toward the outdoors, they are designed to encourage students with little or no experience to expand their comfort zone a bit - in a fairly secure setting among their friends. The trips are diverse; take a look at the offerings here: http://www.catlin.edu/middle/outdoor/trips
You can scroll through the pending spring trips before looking over the many new summer trips. We expect many of these trips will fill up quickly, so it’s important to contact us early.
You can scroll through the pending spring trips before looking over the many new summer trips. We expect many of these trips will fill up quickly, so it’s important to contact us early.
To sign up, email Olivia Miller at millero@catlin.edu