Peek at the Week for February 4-11, 2010
February 4, 2010February 4-11, 2010
February
| 4 | Middle School Parent Conference, no middle school |
| 5 | Middle School Parent Conference, no middle school |
| 6 | First Ski Bus Saturday |
| 11 | Middle School Parent Conference, no middle school |
| 12 | Middle School Parent Conference, no middle school |
| 12 | John Craig & the Upper School Jazz Band concert in Cabell Theater, 8:00pm with $5 admission |
| 15 | President's Day observed, no school |
| 16 | 6th grade science teacher, Larry Hurst, presents Earth Becomes Us, at 7:00pm in Cabell Theater as part of the Esther Dayman Strong lecture series |
| 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 |
| 16-19 | 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
News from Haiti
Here is one photo a Haitian health worker took of a patient who received French poetry and beautiful images from our middle school French students. He said patients were thrilled to have gifts that were colorful, unbroken creations from American students.
In particular, he recounts a man who had just received a very poor medical prognosis but his face lit up when he got one of your poems. He treated it with much care and respect as he was moved around the out-of-doors hospital wards.
Follow-Up to Presentation from Oregon Partnership
We’ve asked seventh graders and their families to sign a commitment pledge related to drugs and alcohol as well as other aspects of safety. I’ve included the idea behind this. All Middle School families are welcome to attend the parent meetings listed below.
Catlin Gabel opposes student use of drugs and alcohol. Apart from the legal issues teen alcohol and drug use pose serious health risks, and long-term physical, social, and emotional consequences. We strongly encourage members of the community, especially parents and families, to create and maintain a network of support for one another, and partner with the school in preventing teen use of alcohol and drugs. At this time I am asking for 7th grade families to make a commitment to one another.
This pledge is a statement of moral commitment to families in the Catlin Gabel community. It is intended to make school-wide conversations about alcohol and drugs a normal and regular shared occurrence.
This is not a reaction to a specific event. This statement is a starting point for important but sometimes difficult conversations that frequently occur during a child’s teen years. Together we want to maintain good relationships with our children knowing they will be faced with all kinds of challenges, including being close to drugs and alcohol. As such, you will be asked to reaffirm this commitment every year your son or daughter is here.
This pledge is not a legally enforceable contract and Catlin Gabel does not impose any legal duties beyond those imposed by the law. In cases where Catlin Gabel rules are violated, school officials may take additional disciplinary action.
If you have reservations about the aim and tone of this letter or presenting this statement at this time, I’d like to invite you to one of two scheduled meetings to discuss this.
Here is the pledge:
STUDENT, PARENT AND GUARDIAN PLEDGE
I/We agree that during any student parties or student activities hosted by my/our family:
□ I/We will not permit alcohol or drugs use by students.
□ A parent or other responsible adult will be present at all times.
□ Should firearms be present in the home, they will be under lock and key.
Option one for parent meeting (all are invited): Tuesday, February 9 at 7:30 pm in the MS Commons
Option two for parent meeting (all are invited): Wednesday, February 10 at 8:15 am (at drop off) in the Health/PE room (in the gym)
Emily Moser, from Oregon Partnership, left a hangout from the Search Institute listing the developmental assets that are considered building blocks of healthy development. These assets are considered antedotes to drug and alcohol use.
I’ve included a link, for your information:
8th Grade Drama @ Portland Center Stage
Third Angle New Music Ensemble and Portland Center Stage team up to present a month of noon-time, creative exploration in anticipation of Third Angle’s innovative program Chance/Perchance: A Musical Happening http://www.thirdangle.org/chance_perchance_2010.htm, on Friday, March 5 featuring work by David Schiff, Terry Riley and Mark Applebaum at the Hollywood Theatre.
The series of events will be centered around Bay Area composer Mark Applebaum’s epic graphic score, The Metaphysics of Notation, a stunning, approximately 72-foot-long scroll a work of visual art teeming with evocative glyphs and densely arranged pictographs, where the meaning and musical content is deliberately left undefined by the composer. A variety of local actors, poets, dance artists and musicians will respond to and interpret the work. The lineup:
February 5: Catlin Gabel 8th Grade Drama Students
February 12: Spare Room Sound Poetry Collective
February 19: Quadrophonnes Saxophone Quartet
February 26: Dance Artist Linda Austin
The Metaphysics of Notation Fridays in February at noon Mezzanine, Gerding Theater at the Armory
Portland Center Stage (128 NW Eleventh)
Upper School Jazz Band
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Come and hear the Upper School Jazz Band supporting Portland's John Craig Band, Friday February 12th at the Cabell Center. Tickets are $5.00 at the door and the whole family can come. Doors open at 7:00pm and the gig starts at 8:00pm with our very own Upper School Jazz Ensemble performing first.
Come and hear a night of, rock, soul, fusion and indie music.
Check out the Facebook site for John Craig and the US Jazz Band
Re-enrollment contracts due 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.
Calendar news for 2010-11
This year we added instructional days to the school year. Our students are benefiting from more time in class and teachers are pleased to have more time to cover their curricula. Because the extended calendar is so successful, we are adopting the same number of instructional days for the 2010-11 school year.
As you review the calendar highlights below, please keep in mind that Labor Day falls late in 2010 (September 6). Lower, Middle, and Upper School students will begin before Labor Day, just as they did this year.
Last year's unusually high number of snow days persuaded us to create a policy about unscheduled school closure days: If school is canceled for three or more days, due to weather or other emergencies, the days will be made up in June.
Calendar Highlights 2010-11
Upper School orientations and activities
Thursday, September 2, and Friday, September 3
Middle School orientation day
Thursday, September 2, 10:30 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Lower School open house
Thursday, September 2, 10 a.m. – noon
Thursday, September 2, 10 a.m. – noon
Lower and Middle School teacher prep day (no classes)
Friday, September 3
Middle and Lower School classes begin
Tuesday, September 7
Beginning School orientations begin (details to follow about small group visits)
Wednesday, September 8
Beginning School classes begin
Friday, September 10
Thanksgiving break
Wednesday, November 24 - Sunday, November 28
Winter break
Saturday, December 18 - Sunday, January 2
Martin Luther King Jr. Day - no classes
Monday, January 17
Presidents' Day - no classes
Monday, February 21
Spring break
We are waiting to hear for Portland Public Schools and other area schools to confirm their plans before scheduling spring break. We will let you know as soon as decisions are made.
Last day of classes
Friday, June 10
Graduation
Saturday, June 11
Reserved days for closure make-up (if we have three or more unplanned closures)
June 13 - 15
The Esther Dayman Strong Lectureship in the Humanities presents
Earth Becomes Us: Coming Full Circle in Dealing with the Dead
Are burial and cremation our only options? Larry Hurst, environmental scientist and Catlin Gabel teacher, discusses ancient and new choices for final disposition and their environmental consequences.
Reception to follow lecture.
RSVP to alumni@catlin.edu
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Gambol auction tables and tickets are available!
We encourage you to purchase your tickets online at www.catlin.edu/giving/gambol. The Gambol is a wonderful way to support our school and connect with the Catlin Gabel community at our biggest party of the year.
Gambol Mythbusters
Myth # 1
"I don't have anything fancy to wear"
Truth...
Attendees dress in everything from jeans to gowns. Wear what makes you comfortable. It doesn't matter what you wear as long as you are there!
Myth # 2
"Everything so expensive, there is nothing in my price range."
Truth...
There will be items in all price ranges from as low as $25 to as high as you want to go.
Myth # 3
"I haven't been asked to sit at a table"
Truth...
You can arrange your own table or the Gambol committee has a person in charge of table seating and she will do her best to sit you with your class or your division.
Myth # 4
"The live auction is too long"
Truth...
We have shortened the live auction this year and added an after-party featuring games and prizes -- just in case you were outbid on your fabulous trip.
Be a Patron at the Gambol
As a Patron you will receive an invitation to a private reception on March 3 with Head of School Lark Palma, along with Hannah Whitehead, Vicki Roscoe, Paul Anderchuck and Michael Heath. On March 13, you will receive complimentary valet parking at the Nines hotel. And best of all, your Patron ticket purchase sponsors a teacher to attend the Gambol auction. Show your support of our school and buy your patron ticket today at www.catlin.edu/giving/gambol.
Tuition raffle tickets on sale for $100
The Tuition raffle is back by popular demand. Don’t miss this opportunity for a chance to win $10,000 towards tuition at Catlin Gabel. You can purchase your raffle ticket at www.catlin.edu/giving/gambol. You must be 18 years and older to purchase a raffle ticket. Drawing for raffle will take place on March 13 at the Nines. Need not be present to win. For more information, please contact the auction office at gambol@catlin.edu.