Week of November 19, 2012 (gobble, gobble)

 Here is a great picture (thanks to Brian Whittier) of Jamie and his Ethics Bowl team...actually two teams. Jamie's teams competed in a regional Ethics Bowl competition this past weekend at UNC-CH. Although our students did a great job, they lost in the quarter final match to East Chapel Hill High who went on to win the tournament. Our students had beat ECHH earlier in the day during Round Robin play. Congratulations to Jamie and his students!

 As I hope you have heard, our Fall Symposium was a rousing success! Here, you can see Philip Gary introducing our three visiting ambassadors. Each ambassador gave a 20-minute introduction on Understanding North Korea, The Middle East, and Emerging Africa. Students then split into three Q&A groups with each ambassador.

 Here are a group of our students meeting with Ambassador John Sylvester about North Korea.

 The International Potluck was delicious! Thanks to all who contributed to this great meal.

As you might imagine, Kaira Ba, Jonathan Henderson's Senegalese band, was a big hit. They did manage to get everyone up and dancing.

RISERS NIGHT
On Thursday, November 29, we will welcome Middle School 4th year students and their parents for our Upper School Risers Night. We look forward to an evening full of information sharing. The 4th years will go through an abbreviated class schedule while parents will meet with some staff members in the Meeting Hall. We look forward to welcoming the 4th years and their parents to the Upper School.

OPEN HOUSE
Our CFS Open House is Sunday afternoon, December 2, from 2-4pm. We will make an informational presentation about the Upper School in the Meeting Hall at 2:30. Please encourage any interested folks to attend.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO ALL! HAVE A WONDERFUL HOLIDAY WITH FAMILY.

FALL SYMPOSIUM: An International Day 11.12.12

 These pictures were borrowed from previous Fall Symposium days. They are meant to serve as a reminder of our International Day tomorrow (Monday). We have planned an international potluck lunch. If you are contributing an international dish, please note the country of origin so we can properly place it on the table. We are looking forward to eating out on the steps as we are entertained by Jonathan Henderson's Senegalese band, Kaira Ba. You are welcome to join us! (12:15-1:15)

 Our keynote speaker, Mr. Leslie Boney, will begin his talk at 9:30am in the Meeting Hall. Mr. Boney is UNC's Vice President for International, Community, and Economic Engagement. Following Mr. Boney's address, we will split into three Ambassador's Round Table discussions: Emerging Africa, Understanding North Korea, and The Middle East. (10:15-11:15)

 Afternoon workshop sessions will begin at 1:30. Topics include, but are not be limited to, Can the EU Survive?, What is a Multi-Cultural Society? (Taught in Spanish and English), Terrorism and Democracy, and Women's Education in a Global Society.

The first day of our Winter Term is Tuesday, November 13. Upper School Fall Service Days are Monday and Tuesday, November 19 & 20. More to come about that.

I leave you with the message that our CFS community has joined together to hold Lenore Edwards (CFS grad, class of 2011), her family, and the entire Earlham College community in the light. Lenore is a strong and loving young woman who has a long road ahead of her. She needs all of our love and strength at this time.

Election Night Party...and a few other reminders

 All families are invited to attend our 2012 Election Watch Party tonight, from 7:00-10:00. Bryce's Campaign 2012 class is hosting this event. Our very history-minded Director of Advancement, Anthony Clay, has let me know that, if folks are not ready to leave at 10:00, he will stick around and wait for the returns with people. We are asking people to bring drinks and/or snacks to share at the party. We will be streaming in elections returns on the big screen in the Meeting Hall. I have no doubt that this will be an exciting and nail-biting evening!

 Reminder #2: No school on Friday for the students. Staff will be writing End-of-Term reports.

 Reminder #3: If you have not ordered pizza/bagels for the year, it is time to sign up for the Winter Term. I will email a copy of the Pizza/Bagel form before I leave school today. Completed forms and money should be turned in to Willy by Monday, November 12.

Reminder #4: Our Fall Symposium on International Relations is on Monday, November 12. The students have planned an international potluck, which we hope to organize by country. Please identify your contribution to the potluck and its country of origin.

Reminder #5: You still have time to order a yearbook for $40. There are forms in Willy's office. After Thanksgiving, the price will go up to $45. Parents of seniors are invited to buy an ad in the yearbook, which they can personalize for their graduate. Please contact Willy asap, if you want to buy an ad.

PICTURE DAY IS FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 16.

DON'T FORGET TO VOTE! VOTE! VOTE!

Conferences, classes, and US life...11.2.12

 Last week, CFS hosted the annual Triangle Diversity Conference. We welcomed students from Durham Academy, Ravenscroft, Cary Academy, and St. Mary's. Above, you can see some of our CFS conference participants. Below, Mike is welcoming the entire group and encouraging them to "lean in" to each activity and to engage actively. Members of Jon's Global Issues and the Environment class planned workshops that included topics, such as Post-Racial Politics, The Price of your Politics, and Rhythm in Race. All reports are that the conference was a huge success. Our students planned a thought-provoking and interactive experience for all who came.

 As a culminating activity to her Dance: Shaping an Impulse class, Annie invited her students' parents to join in class on Friday. As you can see, parents were truly joining in!

 Annie and CFS alum Leah Wilks demonstrated a partnering activity. Below, you can see Aaron and Victoria experiencing partnering with their parents.

 On Thursday, students enjoyed an early dismissal so staff members could spend the afternoon in a staff development session. Focusing on Richard Lavoie's book, The Motivational Breakthrough: 6 Secrets to Turning On the Tuned-Out Child. Staff members had the choice of reading and discussing parts of the book or watching a DVD of Richard Lavoie talking about his views on Motivation. We then processed the information in a variety of ways. Below, you can see a group of staff members participating in a Rehearsal for Life exercise. All in all, this was a great afternoon filled with rich discussions and learning opportunities.

ELECTION WATCH PARTY
Bryce's Campaign 2012 class is sponsoring an Election Watch Party for Tuesday night from 7:00-9:30. We realize that we might not know the results of the presidential election by 9:30, but we think that might be a good time to send folks home. People are welcome to bring snacks and drinks to share. Bryce's class will be decorating the Meeting Hall for this occasion and will have political maps on hand for folks to work with. All ages and political views are welcome!

*LAST DAY OF FALL TERM IS THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 8. 
*FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 9 IS A STAFF WORK DAY. 
*MONDAY, NOVEMBER 12 IS OUR FALL SYMPOSIUM ON INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS. STUDENTS ARE INVITED TO CONTRIBUTE TO OUR INTERNATIONAL POTLUCK LUNCH.

Halloween...Upper School style!

 Our Center Staff set the stage with their own rendition of the Rainbow Connection.

 Sarah Palin stopped by for a visit.

 Max the penguin, Emma as Day of the Dead, and Cowboy Nick

 Daniel sang We Will Rock You as a member of Queen.

 We Will Rock You...Elisabeth's way!

 Jon the Gender Bender

 Amelia as a fortune teller

 Randall rocked it out as a true rock star

 Senior clowns in action

 Some of our group contestants

 Max and Volver...How adorable!

I came dressed as Hally...and then got to sing Call Me Maybe with the real deal. All in all, Halloween was a fun day in the Upper School.