Aptil 2nd, 2010
Calendar
(Athletics Schedule Available Here)
April
US Student Blood Drive
Tuesday, April 6th
PFA 10th Grade Parents Potluck
Wednesday, April 7th, 6:30 - 8:30 pm, in the Barn
Viola Vaughn Talk
Wednesday, April 7th
Model United Nations (MUN)
Thursday, April 8th & Friday, April 9th
Eugene, Oregon
Upper School Campus Day
Wednesday, April 14th
Robotics National Tournament
Wednesday, April 14th - Friday,
April 16th; Atlanta, Georgia
Upper School Play: The Women
Friday, April 16th & Saturday, April 17th
Diversity Conference
Friday, April 23rd
Laptop Program Showcase & New US Students & Families Evening
Wednesday, April 28th
Laptop (open) program, 5:30 - 6:30 pm; New Student Mixer & Parent Gathering, 6:30 - 8:00 pm
May
Spring Festival
Sunday, May 2nd
Prom
Saturday, May 8th
And just a reminder for all days of the week ~ please feel free to leave messages, day or night, about your child's attendance. Contact Molly Grove, Upper School Administrative Assistant, 503-297-1894, ext. 315. Thanks!
A letter from Michael Heath
April brings with it the back of Spring Break, the last quarter of the year, and the many events packed into the remaining weeks we have together as a school. Once we have hit April in the calendar year, I find myself thinking about the end—graduation, summer plans, and moving on. Before all of this, of course, there is a lot of school to experience and a lot going on. I hope you can take the time to read about many of these exciting events in this Biweekly, as well as on our website.
As for my piece, I would like to highlight a survey for you that will offer us very useful information about technology. This is our
laptop survey, generated by the IT office, and it will help us understand more fully the value of our laptop program and what we should be paying attention to in order to improve best practices.
We have focused this year on the use of technology in the Upper School and the ways this tends to shape our community. In the process of exploring our practices around technology use, I heard some extremely positive and insightful comments from our parents. I look forward to hearing your thoughts on the specifics of our laptop program as well.
With kind regards,
Michael
Laptop Survey for Upper School Parents
A note for spring from George Thompson
At the basketball hoop outside my office, I can hear the combination of singing birds and bouncing balls, and the noise reminds me that spring is really here despite every recent indicater to the contrary. As one returnee from Cuba said longingly a couple of days ago, “I wish we hadn’t had to leave quite so soon!” I could imagine his own idyllic visions of Havana nights and the warm breezes that accompanied them.
The next two months will be witness to the coming of age of this year’s senior class, and it is always an adventure to behold because no two classes are the same.Youngsters who, despite their rapid growth and maturity, we saw as children, are now staring into their own future as adults, and some important decisions are being made right now about college, senior projects, summer programs and the prospect of future travel.
Here’s the rub: they want to leave us, and they don’t want to leave. The same thing is true at home. As their parents, we want to send them off with our blessing, and we want to hold onto them. The tension, never fully anticipated, between these two poles, can be a harsh surprise. What we know would be most helpful would simply be to practice and counsel patience. But that may be hard to do before a senior prom when you as a parent must still insist on their sensible choices and behavior. A recognition of the high tension and excitement of your seniors during these months of spring is not only a good idea, it is essential. The child who never answers back may suddenly revert to some childhood behavior and you, too, may be surprised by how easy it is to forget your normal composure. Take it easy. Breathe in the spring air and remember: it’s only a couple more months. When summer comes, tempers cool, and life goes on.
Viola Vaughn to speak at Catlin Gabel on Wednesday, April 7
Vaughn, founder and executive director of the nonprofit 10,000 Girls in Kaolack, Sénégal, West Africa, will speak Wednesday at 12:45 p.m. in the Middle School Commons during her tour of the United States.
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Vaughn is a n American with an Ed.D. from Columbia University who received a CNN “Hero” award in 2008. She is a social entrepreneur who has built 10,000 Girls from an idea to a vibrant program currently serving 2,567 girls in 10 towns and villages in rural Sénégal. She periodically tours the U.S., speaking and participating in conferences to raise awareness of her organization's success in helping West African girls succeed as students and entrepreneurs. During her time in Portland Vaughn will also speak at Portland State University.
10,000 Girls has two primary programs: after-school education and skill-building, helping girls stay in school and complete their educations; and entrepreneurship, teaching a craft or trade and business basics to older girls who have already left school and need life skills to become self-reliant. The educational component provides tutoring and resources to help girls succeed in school. Older girls, who are no longer in school, learn sewing, baking, and other marketable skills, creating products such as dolls and table linens, which they sell locally and online. The girls also grow, harvest, and produce hibiscus, which they transform into tea and hope to export to the U.S. as Certified Organic. The girls in the entrepreneurial program have decided to donate nearly 50% of their earnings to the program, making 10,000 Girls entirely self-sustainable. In Sénégal – where 54% of the citizens live below poverty and 48% are unemployed – 10,000 Girls transforms the lives of participating girls and their families.
The dynamic Viola Vaughn, a long-time resident of Sénégal, dramatically describes the challenges and joys of running 10,000 Girls and speaks with passion about her organization's mission. She can relay fascinating stories, including how she convinced banks to open accounts for young girls, a first in Sénégal; why the girls chose to bake and sell cookies to raise money (like America's Girl Scouts); and the what poignant questions the girls pose at summer Democracy Camps in Sénégal.
In Portland, Violla Vaughn hopes to connect with individuals and organizations interested in the education of girls, as well as with businesses that might want to sell 10,000 Girls' products. She will also encourage individuals intending to volunteer for 10,000 Girls in Senegal.
PFA News
The Parent-Faculty Association (PFA) will be accepting nominations until April 15, 2010 for the 2010-11 school year.
Anyone interested can apply. The PFA welcomes parents who are new to the school and parents who have not considered leadership involvement before. Generally, it is best to start out by volunteering as a grade representative before serving on the executive council. Nominating yourself is encouraged. Please e-mail pfa@catlin.edu to nominate a candidate (including yourself) for any of the following positions:
· Grade representatives (preschool through twelfth)
· Volunteer coordinator
· Spring Festival coordinator
· Advisor to Council
· Beginning School coordinator
· Lower School coordinator
· Communications coordinator
· Treasurer
· Vice president
College counselors present two free events for Portland students and families
College counselors Kate Grant and Nancy Donehower provide expertise and insight to Portland families who seek guidance about the college search process. This outreach event is a way for Catlin Gabel to share one of our strongest programs with students and parents who have limited access to college counseling services. The program is free and open to the public. Tell your friends and neighbors.
Monday, April 12
6:30 p.m.
Hollywood Library, 4040 NE Tillamook, Portland 97212
Tuesday, May 4
6:30 p.m.
Hillsdale Library, 1525 SW Sunset Blvd., Portland 97239
Calling All Gardeners
Help us make this year's (free) Plant Exchange a success by starting to gather divisions, starts, and seedlings from your yard. They can be stored at school beginning April 26th. Labels please, and no invasives. Many thanks! Questions? Please contact
Marjorie Dial.
Bicycle clinic and information evening
Go greener. Get healthier. Find the fun in bike riding.
Come to the Middle School Commons on Wednesday, April 21, from 7 to 8:30 p.m., to learn about bicycle safety, handling, fixing, and purchasing from our guest Brian Lacey of BikeEMPOWERED.
As spring weather improves, this is the time to learn the skills and strategies for safe bike commuting and bike maintenance. Feel free to bring your own bike for an assessment.
Parents, students, and friends are welcome to join us for this free workshop.
For more information, contact Len Carr at
carrl@catlin.edu or (503) 297-1894 ext. 406
Laptop program showcase
Wednesday, April 28
5:30 – 6:30 p.m.
Upper School Library
Do you want to know more about the Upper School laptop program? How are laptops used for schoolwork? Should you buy a Mac or PC? What are the latest laptop models? How does purchasing through Catlin Gabel work? Learn all the ins and outs of the laptop program at the seventh annual laptop program showcase.
Discover the many ways audio and video tools introduce modern language concepts. View student film projects from the media arts classes. See how social networking tools are used in a variety of classes including English and history. Students, find out how you can participate in the robotics program and learn about computer languages taught in programming class.
Take the new Lenovo and Apple laptops for test drives. Talk to IT staff about the pros and cons of each model. Get the scoop on accessories available for purchase with your laptop.
Catlin Gabel information technology staff members will be available to answer questions and provide laptop ordering information. Light snacks and giveaways will be available!
The showcase is geared toward new students and incoming freshmen, current Upper School students, and parents, but we also encourage any interested students, parents, faculty, and staff to attend. You won’t want to miss this event! Please mark your calendar now!
Catlin Gabel Summer Programs 2010
By now you should have received the Catlin Gabel Summer Programs catalog in the mail. We hope you have the time to look through the catalog and find courses that will fit your child's summer plans. As usual we are offering a wide variety of courses, some new, some old, that should capture the interests and activities of your child. In the event of a misplaced catalog, you can always click on www.catlin.edu/summer to find all the information you need or visit the Catlin Gabel webpage and click on the Summer Programs logo button at the bottom of the main page.
Thank you for supporting the Gambol. And, there’s still a chance to participate!
Thank you to all our donors, bidders, volunteers and sponsors. The Gambol event on March 13 was a successful and festive evening for our community. Were you unable to attend or didn’t win something you bid on? Well, here’s your chance! We have fabulous activities and parties, offered by generous and thoughtful donors that still have spots available. Please review the selection below. All proceeds support professional development for our teachers. If you would like to purchase a spot, please email
gambol@catlin.edu. Don’t miss out on these fun community activities!
Ano’s Art Party - 10 spots available
Private art party for 12 children or adults at Ano’s Art Academy in Cedar Hills. $50 per person. September 26, 2010.
Big Night at Apolloni Vineyards - 25 spots available
A summer tradition continues with outstanding food and wine for 75 people. $50 per person. July 31, 2010.
Bernie Fagan Soccer Clinic - 22 spots available
30 kids at a soccer camp at PGE Park ages 5 -12 years old. $50 per person. May 15, 2010. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Barn Party - 20 spots available
50 adults party in the Barn, D.J. spinning tunes, kegs, and food by chef Hen Troung. We love your children but this party is for adults only. $50 per person. May 15, 2010. 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Woodshop for Women - 11 spots available
15 women design and build a masterpiece with teacher Jennifer Marcus ’73. $75 per person. April 11, 2010.
Lemon Drops and Flip-flops - 18 spots available
25 people enjoy pampering and cocktails in a beautiful Dunthorpe garden. $75 per person. July 17, 2010.
Overnight & Movie in the Paddock - 70 family spots available
100 people watch a movie on the big screen under the stars and campout in tents on the Lower School field. $40 per family. August 27, 2010.
Tie Dye Party - 5 spots available
8 kids twist, tie and dye anything 100% cotton with parent Jenny Wilson Prendergast ’87. $75 per person. June 15, 2010.
Cupcake Brunch - 28 family spots available
Parent Dancy Jubb hosts 40 families for a Sunday champagne brunch and cupcake party. $100 per family. April 18, 2010.
Winterim News
Tango – Ice skating – French Cuisine – Caves – Fashion – Hiking – Composition – Scavenging – Snowshoeing – Performing – Go-Karting – Recording – and more!
Students immersed in extensive experiential learning further their educations intellectually, interpersonally, and physically – thanks to the Annual Fund.
Make your
donation and participate today.
