Week of September 20, 2010

We just finished our first full week of classes. Life in the Upper School is busy and full. Students have been getting clubs and committees off the ground, with new students deciding which groups to join. Above and below (left, I think), you can see the newly named QSA (Queer Straight Alliance), formerly the GSA (Gay Straight Alliance). As you can see, the turnout was quite positive. The first major activity on the agenda for this group is the Pride Parade on Satursday, September 25th. Applications were due on Friday for the Head Teacher Committee. This committee is made up of representatives from all 4 grades. They help keep me in touch with the student population and plan fun activities for the community. Our first big project will be our Halloween celebration and pumpkin carving contest. Next week, applications will be available for the Staff-Student Discipline Committee. This important committee is also made up of representatives of all 4 grades. Students serve for a term of 2 years. This past week, the Environmental Club met for the first time. Although I was unable to join them, I understand they had a great turnout and are already coming up with lots of ideas to help remind our community of the importance of stewardship.













If you are related to an US student, you may have heard about our new lockers. I am happy to report that lockers have now been assigned to students. Everyone who wanted a locker does have one. Some students are sharing lockers. Here, you can see Samantha deciding what she needs out of her (old) locker. The final photo for this week is a shot of some happy senior boys enjoying the beautiful weather on the patio.

COOKING CLASS--YUM!!
We presently have two cooking classes, taught by Frances and Bryce. As Frances's cooking class meets before lunch, they have been cooking special lunches to sell on Thursdays. Two weeks ago, we had home-made macaroni and cheese with a beautiful fresh salad. Last week, we had Mexican and Waldorf salads. These lunch options are made fresh and will continue to be sold each Thursday for $3.

CLASSES VISIT THE NASHER MUSEUM
Annie Dwyer took her Advanced Dance class to visit the new exhibit at the Nasher: The Record (Contemporary Art and Vinyl). This week, Harrison will take his portfolio and Mixed Media students. Mike Hanas and I accompanied Annie's class last week. We were led by docent Jessica Ruhle. If you have been to the Nasher, you know that this exhibit is fascinating. We spent time with pieces such as "Sometimes Billy Holiday is all the holds me together" and "Patsy's Spool." The students were especially drawn to the photography of visiting artist Xaviera Simmons and the folk art of Mingering Mike. Our own Harrison Haynes is a part of this exhibit.

END-OF-YEAR PROGRAM
Last Monday, staff members shared plans for this year's End-of-Year program, with off-campus experiences to the Galapagos Islands, Trinidad, Nicaragua, out West, and the Adirondacks. On Monday of this week, sign-up forms will be distributed to students and are due to be handed in on Monday, September 27th. Freshmen do not need to sign up as they will travel together to Newton Grove to work with migrant farmworker families. All other students must sign up for either an off-campus experience, an internship, or a local project, such as Ken's Guitar-Making workshop or Sherri's yoga-related experience.

WASHINGTON, DC: FINAL PLANS
We will leave for Washington, DC, on Friday at 5:30am. Students have signed up for morning museum visits. At 12:30, they will switch into advisee groups for an afternoon of advisee group activities. The entire group will walk to Union Station at 5:00 for dinner in the food court. Busses will pick the group up at 7:00 for the trip home. Just a reminder that we must charge $45/student to help cover transportation costs. Scholarships are available.

THE YEARLING
by freshman Joshua

The Yearling is a suspenseful story
About a boy and his worries
He had family responsibilities
And love for a pet and its needs
The boy experienced sorrow and bitterness
And courage speaks of what it feels like
To grow up in a harsh environment
The Yearling is filled with a lot of adventures
Danger and loneliness are the boy's adventures
This pet followed him around town
But the boy never frowned
Even though he has responsibilities
His pet was always friendly
If I had responsibilities and a pet like him
I would never need a friend

Week of September 13, 2010

Last Friday, we celebrated our first advisee time with an advisee group cookout. The weather was beautiful...and perfect for cooking out and hanging out. Here, you can see Elise and a group of students talking on the deck. Below left (I think!), Bob is cooking dogs, Rob is cooking chicken while Ken looks on. Meanwhile, Dave's group cooked on their own personal camp stove. We all agreed that this was a great way for advisee groups to share their first time together. Willy and Judith's group enjoyed ice cream sundaes while Bob's group roasted marshmallows. Below, you can also see Bryce and Guillermo's group competing in a game of Trivial Pursuit.

I thought you might like to see the line for Bagels last week. Over 100 (out of 150) students were happy to have their bagels on Tuesday.

Here are more artistic summer reading projects by students. I doubt that I can get their names to match with the proper art work. This beautiful college work was created by Will Godwin (Ordinary Man), Alison Footman (Shogun), and Shauna Pointer (The Yearling).

END-OF-YEAR PROGRAM

We will be sharingnews about off-campus offerings for our End-of-Year program with students on Monday. We are very excited about the service projects and outdoor challenges that this year's experiences have to offer. (Trinidad, Nicaragua, Galapagos Islands, West trip, and Adirondacks) For the sixth year in a row, the freshman class will travel to Newton Grove to work with Father Tony and the Migrant Farmworker Episcopal Ministry. Freshman families will hear more about this service experience in the coming months. Sophomores, juniors, and seniors have the opportunity to participate in two off-campus experiences. For their third year, they can plan an internship or join a local service project. EOY sign-up forms are due on Monday, September 27th and must be signed by a parent. Scholarships are available AND we encourage our students to find ways (Babysitting? Yard work?) to make a financial contribution to the cost of their experience.

WASHINGTON, DC

The entire Upper School community will travel to Washington, DC, on Friday, September 24th. This week, students will sign up for their morning museum visits. Advisee groups will make their own plans for lunch and afternoon activities. Busses will leave the CFS campus at 5:30am and return by midnight. The cost to cover transportation is $45/student. Scholarships are available. Students may bring a bag lunch/dinner or money to cover both of these meals. Lunch will take place in one of the museum cafeterias, and dinner will be at the food court at Union Station.

FARMWORKER FESTIVAL

The Episcopal Farmworker Ministry will host its 20th Annual Farmworker Festival on Sunday, September 19th, from 1-7pm. Susan plans to take a CFS bus with interested students. Families are welcome and encouraged to attend this wonderful festival. We arrive in time for church at 11:30am. There will be live music, free food, pony rides and a petting zoo for children, and an exciting soccer tournament. The address of the ministry is 2989 Easy St., next to the health clinic in Newton Grove.

QUAKER N'OATS

We had a great first meeting of Quaker N'Oats last Thursday. We could use a few more male voices! We will meet at 8am on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Our first performance will be at the Upper School Back to School Night on October 7th. More to come about this magical musical group.

Have a great week. Enjoy this beautiful fall weather.

Week of September 6, 2010

The senior class of 2011 was excited to welcome the freshmen, sophomores, and juniors to the all-school retreat last Wednesday. The seniors had planned a full day of relay races, silly games, and getting-to-know-you activities for the rest of us. We did our best to stay out of the sun in the almost 100 degree heat. As we loaded the busses at the end of the day, we were hot, sweaty...and happy! A big THANK YOU to the senior class for being warm, welcoming, enthusiastic, and energetic throughout the day.
The relay race included the entire Upper School, which had been divided into tribes. Then each tribe traveled from silly game (Birdie on a Perch) to silly game (Senior Says).

I have been inundated with incredibly creative summer reading projects. Students were assigned to capture the essence of the book they read on one sheet of paper. I will share some of these projects, bit-by-bit, in the next few weeks. (My apologies if the students' names don't exactly match up with their artwork. Hopefully, you will be able to figure out who goes with which book.)

Emily Reif: Ordinary Man

Alison Footman: Shogun

Caleb Cole: Rebecca

Jessie Anderson: The Yearling

Tasha Anderson: Ordinary Man

UPPER SCHOOL TO WASHINGTON, DC

The entire Upper School community will travel to Washington, DC on Friday, September 24th. We will depart at 5:30am on chartered busses and return by midnight. Students will sign up to visit museums in the morning, some with classes and others will visit the museum that interests them. Each museum visit will be supervised by a staff member. During the afternoon, we will have an advisee group scavenger hunt on the Smithsonian Mall. We need to charge each student $45 for this experience to help defray the cost of transportation. If this fee presents a hardship for your family, please let me know. We are happy to cover the cost. More information about this Upper School trip will be mailed to families this week.

BAGEL TUESDAYS/PIZZA WEDNESDAYS

Bagel Tuesdays and Pizza Wednesdays will start this week. Just a reminder that students must sign up for bagels and pizza at the beginning of each term. If you have not yet signed up and do want to participate in one of these events, please contact Willy Rotella asap. (x-226) Students will be able to purchase any leftover bagels and/or pizza slices...IF there are any leftovers.

QUAKER N'OATS

Quaker N'Oats is the name of our Upper School a cappella singing group. This year, we are expanding to include glee club music as well. We will rehearse on Tuesday and Thursday mornings at 8am in the Meeting Hall. Our first rehearsal will be this Thursday morning at 8am. Juice will be provided at 7:45 so we can start promptly at 8:00. All interested singers are welcome! We have lots of new music to learn.

ADVISEE GROUPS

Advisee groups lists were posted on Friday afternoon. Students will begin meeting in their advisee groups at 8:30 Tuesday morning.

We have had a great start in the Upper School. The seniors set a positive tone at the retreat. We now look forward to settling in to classes and Upper School life. I will do my best to keep you posted on our latest AND upcoming activities. I LOVE spending time with teenagers!